Novari is expected to set to stand down at a Board of Directors meeting on April 6.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported Novari's lack of experience in the sporting industry was cited as one of the main reasons for his expected departure.

Novari has served in the position since November 2019.

He had previously served as chief executive of telecommunications company Tre Italia from 2001 to 2016, when it merged with Wind.

Novari also founded business services start-up SoftYou.

The 62-year-old had reportedly been chosen from three finalists in the recruitment process.

La Republicca reported that UEFA director of football and social responsibility Michele Uva is now under consideration for the position.

Uva joined the Italian Football Association (FIGC) as project manager in 2009 and then as chief development manager before returning as chief executive in 2014.

In 2013, Uva was appointed chief executive of Sport e Salute, formerly known as CONI Servizi, and was in charge of the Italian team’s expedition to Sochi 2014.

Uva served as a UEFA vice-president for three years between 2017 and 2020, before stepping down to return to Sport e Salute.

Internazionale chief executive Alessandro Antonello has also been linked with the position, with the official reportedly having a close relationship with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala.

Alberto Baldan and Gianfranco Battisti have also been cited as possible replacements for Novari.

Baldan had been reported as one of the three finalists for the position back in 2019.

Baldan is the former chief executive of La Rinascente retail stores, while Battisti previously held the same role at Ferrovie dello Stato, Italy’s national state-owned railway company.

The chief executive will be tasked with overseeing preparations for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, which have been given a budget of €1.58 billion (£1.35 billion/$1.78 billion).

Milan Cortina 2026 is set to create Olympic Villages in Milan, Cortina d'Amezzo, Predazzo and Livigno.

The Games are due to be held across 22,000 square kilometres, making it the most geographically widespread Olympics in history, and some concerns have been raised over the distance between the competition venues at the Games.

The Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place between February 6 to 22 in 2026, with the Paralympic Games following between March 6 to 15.

insidethegames has contacted Milan Cortina 2026 for comment.