Italy had reportedly agreed a four-year contract worth €1.5 million per season with Pirlo to take the reins before the FIGC made the U-turn.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has decided not to proceed with the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the Italian national team.
This was disclosed on Monday by Italian journalist and football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a post shared on his official X handle.
According to the Italian reporter, Federation President Malagò decided against signing the contract due to Pirlo’s collaboration with a Russian betting brand.
Taking to his verified account, Romano wrote: “Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as new Italian national team head coach has been called off. Federation president Malagò decides not to proceed with signatures due to Pirlo’s collab with a Russian betting brand.”
Prior to this development, Pirlo had emerged as the clear frontrunner to lead the Azzurri rebuild after high-profile targets, including Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, distanced themselves from the role.
Reports had suggested that Pirlo had agreed a four-year contract worth €1.5 million per season to take the reins before the FIGC executed the U-turn.
However, the move has now sensationally collapsed, leaving the federation searching for a new direction just as they appeared to have secured their man.
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Confirming the decision, Pirlo stated that he is no longer in the running to become the next head coach of the national team.
The former Juventus and AC Milan midfielder expressed his deep “bitterness” after his potential appointment was derailed by complications surrounding his commercial partnership with the betting company.
”Out of respect for the institutions, the federation, and everybody involved, I have chosen to remain silent until now,” Pirlo wrote in a statement.
He continued: “Attributing political meaning to this collaboration means attributing convictions to me that I have never expressed and do not hold… It is regrettable that a decision based on sporting grounds was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended up attributing motives and intentions to my name that never existed. My love for Italy does not depend on a job.”
Despite his disappointment, Pirlo was careful to maintain a positive relationship with the federation’s top brass.
”I wish to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the respect and faith that they showed in me,” the 47-year-old added. “I know their competence, their seriousness, and the love that they have always dedicated to Italian football.”
Pirlo’s candidacy was spearheaded by the FIGC’s technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, both of whom were keen to bring their former AC Milan teammate into the fold.
