Andrea Pirlo no longer candidate for Italy coaching role after betting firm links backlash

By Emeka Nwosu — 27 July 2026 — 3 min read

Italy Coaching Search Continues Amid Controversy

Andrea Pirlo has announced he is no longer a candidate for the Italian national team head coach position. This decision follows a period of significant debate and criticism regarding his commercial connections with a Russian betting company, Fonbet.

Despite not being officially confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Pirlo’s appointment was widely anticipated. However, Italian politicians and some FIGC officials raised objections due to his role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, particularly in light of ongoing international events.

Pirlo, a former midfielder for Internazionale, Juventus, AC Milan, and the Azzurri, clarified his position in an Instagram post. He stated that any professional collaboration he undertook, including his role as coach for United FC in Dubai, was exclusively commercial and sporting in nature, denying any political intent.

The controversy intensified last spring after Pirlo participated in a Fonbet event in Moscow, where he appeared alongside figures described as pro-Kremlin. This event, which included performances by a pro-Kremlin pop star, drew criticism from individuals like Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Political Scrutiny and FIGC’s Challenges

Several Italian politicians voiced strong opposition to Pirlo’s potential appointment. Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party stated that individuals promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office. Similarly, Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, suggested that the choice of Pirlo contradicted the need for a cultural, ethical, and managerial revolution in Italian football.

In contrast, the Russian ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, expressed sadness over the situation, noting that Pirlo was being “ostracized” despite his contributions to world sport and Italy’s image.

The debate surrounding Pirlo’s potential appointment has reportedly created challenges for the newly appointed FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, who only took up his post on July 11. Italian media have suggested that Maldini might consider resigning over the failed appointment.

Maldini, along with his advisor Leonardo, had been tasked with finding a new head coach to guide Italy through upcoming Nations League matches against France, Belgium, and Turkey, and to qualify for Euro 2028.

Previous Coaching Approaches and Future Prospects

Italy’s search for a new head coach follows a period of introspection for the national team, which failed to qualify for a third World Cup earlier this year. The team’s loss on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April led to coach Gennaro Gattuso stepping down and a reshuffle within the FIGC.

Before considering Pirlo, the FIGC had unsuccessfully approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Maldini and Leonardo reportedly met with Guardiola in Barcelona, presenting a comprehensive “Azzurro project” aimed at rebuilding Italian football from its foundations, encompassing all national teams. However, Guardiola declined the offer for personal reasons.

Ancelotti was also contacted but has a contract with the Brazil national team. Pirlo, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, had been managing UAE Pro League club United FC in Dubai and was expected to terminate his contract there before finalizing an agreement with the FIGC.

According to Italian media, other names currently being considered for the head coach role include Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini. Mancini previously led Italy to Euro 2020 glory before stepping down to coach Saudi Arabia after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

Conte, who has won the Serie A title with three different clubs and the Premier League with Chelsea, is reportedly back in contention for the position, according to la Gazzetta dello Sport.

Source: bbc.com