Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has announced that he’s stepping back from the race to become the next head coach of the national team, following backlash regarding his partnership with the Russian bookmaker Fonbet. The 47-year-old FIFA World Cup champion was seen as a top contender to take over from Gennaro Gattuso, especially after Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola reportedly turned down the chance to lead the Azzurri. However, the potential appointment hit a snag due to political and public outcry over Pirlo’s association with the betting firm, leaving Italy’s search for a new manager right back at the starting line.
Pirlo revealed that he was informed on Sunday that he was no longer being considered for the role. In a statement shared on social media, he said, “Over the past few days, I have watched with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking on the role of Head Coach of the Italian national team. Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and with the contracts I have signed.”
Andrea Pirlo Defends Fonbet Partnership As Italy Continue Search For New Coach
Pirlo, who is currently at the helm of United FC in the United Arab Emirates Pro League, entered into an ambassadorial agreement with Fonbet back in October. When faced with the ensuing controversy, he made it clear that this partnership was purely a commercial and sporting one. He firmly dismissed any claims that it carried political implications, stating that, “It is saddening to see that, despite your extraordinary contribution to world sport and to Italy’s image abroad, in your own country you are now the subject of ostracism by an establishment that many describe as ‘pseudo-democratic’; a fate that, moreover, has already befallen thousands of Russian athletes, conductors, musicians, artists, and film directors in recent years.”
The scrutiny intensified further when Pirlo was spotted alongside his former Italy teammate Marco Materazzi at a Fonbet event at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. This appearance drew criticism, especially given the ongoing war in Ukraine. On the flip side, Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexey Paramonov, came to Pirlo’s defense, labeling the backlash as unjust and arguing that the former midfielder was being unfairly singled out despite his significant contributions to Italian football and his esteemed international standing.
Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation is still on the hunt for a permanent head coach. Technical director Paolo Maldini is spearheading the search after several attempts to secure high-profile managers fell through. The next coach will face a daunting task: rebuilding one of football’s most storied national teams. Italy, a four-time FIFA World Cup champion, has missed out on the last three tournaments, and their immediate goal will be to get the Azzurri back to the World Cup by securing a spot for the 2030 edition.
