Maldini was axed as technical director at the end of last season.
Scarnecchia told TMW: I would have renewed Pioli's contract for another 5 years.
"They greatly underestimated the work of the Rossoneri coach, who is someone that is building," he said.
I don't like how the club operated. Maldini, for example, called me and said that he was abroad and told me that he had been sacked and was in Portugal negotiating with a player. There are some inexplicable choices."