Andrea Pirlo has been removed from contention for the Italy head coach position following political backlash over his ambassadorial role with Fonbet, a Russian betting firm, the former Juventus and AC Milan playmaker confirmed on Monday.
The 47-year-old World Cup winner announced on Instagram that he was "no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job," after several Italian politicians raised concerns about his commercial ties with a Russian company while Italy continues to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Pirlo's withdrawal has reportedly pushed Paolo Maldini — who took over as the Italian Football Federation's technical director just 16 days ago — to consider resigning. Maldini had championed Pirlo as the preferred candidate to revive the Azzurri after they failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Pirlo was at best the third choice for the role, after Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola both declined the position. The former midfielder had been prepared to leave his current post at Dubai United to take the job.
"I heard last night that I'm no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job," Pirlo wrote on Instagram. He insisted the Fonbet deal was linked to his role in the United Arab Emirates and was "exclusively for commercial and sports purposes."
"Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don't belong to me," Pirlo added. "My love for Italy doesn't depend on a job."
The controversy has reopened the door for Roberto Mancini — who led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 — and Antonio Conte, who coached the Azzurri to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals. Both remain candidates for the job, along with former Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi.
The final decision rests with FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, elected in June. Whoever gets the role will become Italy's fourth head coach in as many years, following the departures of Luciano Spalletti, Claudio Ranieri (who declined), and Gennaro Gattuso.
Italy's next fixtures are Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkey, and France in September and October.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/andrea-pirlo-italy-coach-82b063563b31cfc33839cd2b2fa1b9b2
