Andrea Pirlo has been removed from consideration for the Italy managerial position due to concerns surrounding a sponsorship agreement with the Russian betting company Fonbet.
These issues regarding Pirlo’s association with the betting firm have reportedly led Paolo Maldini to contemplate resigning just 16 days into his role as technical director, tasked with revitalizing the Azzurri.
This development comes after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti had already declined offers to coach a national team that has struggled to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
The turmoil surrounding Italy’s formerly esteemed national team is intensifying, following their defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff just four months ago.
Pirlo confirmed his removal from candidate status in an Instagram post, stating he “learned last night that I’m no longer in the running for the Italy national team job.”
Several politicians in Italy have expressed worries about Pirlo’s ambassadorial role with Fonbet, highlighting the necessity for the national team coach to align with Italy’s stance on supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Pirlo, who was ready to depart from his position as coach of Dubai United, was viewed as a controversial choice following unsuccessful coaching tenures at Juventus and Sampdoria, despite his legendary status as a key player in Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory.
Pirlo clarified that the Fonbet partnership was connected to his coaching role in the UAE and was “solely for commercial and sports” motivations.
“Assigning political meaning to that relationship imprints beliefs on me that I have never expressed and do not hold,” Pirlo noted. “My love for Italy transcends any job. It is integral to my history and identity and will forever remain.”
Pirlo was considered a distant third choice after Brazil coach Ancelotti and former Manchester City manager Guardiola rejected proposals from Maldini and senior adviser Leonardo.
However, Maldini preferred Pirlo—his former AC Milan teammate—over other candidates like former Italian coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, viewing him as more adaptable to new strategies and supportive of younger players within a dynamic system.
Gennaro Gattuso, another ex-Milan player, departed as Italy’s coach by mutual consent in April following the defeat to Bosnia.
With the situation in flux, Mancini and Conte are again being considered for the position, while Maldini is reportedly disappointed with Pirlo’s rejection.
The ultimate decision rests with Italian federation president Giovanni Malagò, who was elected in June after leading the organization of the Milan Cortina Olympics and previously heading the Italian Olympic Committee.
Mancini led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 but failed to secure qualification for the subsequent World Cup before accepting a position with Saudi Arabia’s national team. He exited Saudi Arabia in 2024 and most recently coached Al Sadd in Qatar.
Conte led Italy to the European Championship quarterfinals in 2016 and was most recently coaching at Napoli.
Another potential candidate is former Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, currently coaching in the Saudi Pro League.
The next appointment will mark the fourth coach for Italy in four years.
After Luciano Spalletti was dismissed following Italy’s loss to Norway last year, Claudio Ranieri declined an offer to step in, leading to the hiring of the relatively inexperienced Gattuso.
Italy’s next matches are scheduled for September and October, with encounters against Belgium, Turkey, and France in the Nations League.