Italian coach Rolando Maran took charge of the Albanian national football team on May 19, 2026, signing a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Albanian Football Association [1, 2]. Maran, 62, succeeds Brazilian coach Sylvinho, whose tenure ended after Albania failed to qualify for the World Cup [1, 2].
Maran brings extensive experience from Italian football. He has managed several Serie A and Serie B clubs, including Cagliari, Genoa, Bari, and Brescia [1, 2]. The Albanian Football Association president, Armand Duka, has set clear targets for Maran. His immediate mission is to lead Albania to top its Nations League group and secure qualification for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament [1, 2].
Looking further ahead, the association aims for Maran to steer Albania into the 2030 World Cup [1, 2]. Upon his appointment, Maran expressed confidence in the team's prospects, saying, "If I did not believe there are possibilities to achieve these objectives, I would not be here" [1].
Maran's contract runs until late 2027, providing a defined timeframe for him to implement his plans and strive for the set targets with the Albanian national team [1, 2].