By Bilal Ahmed
Andrea Pirlo has announced his withdrawal as a candidate for the head coach position of the Italian national team. This decision follows public criticism regarding his association with a Russian betting company.
Although his appointment had not been officially confirmed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), it was widely anticipated. Over the weekend, several Italian politicians voiced concerns about the FIGC’s choice, highlighting Pirlo’s role as a global ambassador for Russia’s Fonbet.
Pirlo, a former midfielder for Internazionale, Juventus, AC Milan, and the Azzurri, stated in an Instagram post that he learned he was no longer a candidate. He expressed regret over the debate surrounding his name, clarifying that any professional collaboration undertaken in his capacity as coach for United FC in Dubai was solely commercial and sporting.
He further added that attributing a political meaning to his collaboration implies beliefs he has never expressed and does not hold. The Russian ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, offered support to Pirlo, noting it was “saddening” to see him ostracized in his own country despite his contributions to sport.
Controversy over Russian ties
Scrutiny of Pirlo’s connections to Fonbet intensified last spring. He participated in a Fonbet event in Moscow, where he and former teammate Marco Materazzi signed autographs at Luzhniki Stadium. Pro-Kremlin pop star Shaman, known for supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, also performed at this event.
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton slider, criticized Pirlo for his appearance at the event, which occurred on the same day as a significant Russian attack on Ukraine. Heraskevych also noted Pirlo’s appearance alongside Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who had publicly expressed pride in being Russian after the war in Ukraine began.
Pirlo’s role as a Fonbet ambassador drew criticism from Italian politicians who argued that the national team coach should avoid ties that could conflict with Italy’s stance in support of Ukraine. Pirlo maintained that his work always respected the laws of the countries where he operated and the contracts he signed.
FIGC’s search for a new coach
The collapse of Pirlo’s potential appointment has created further challenges for the FIGC, particularly for its new technical director, Paolo Maldini. Maldini, who took up his post on July 11, and his adviser, former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, were tasked with finding a new head coach.
Their mission is to guide Italy through an upcoming Nations League group that includes France, Belgium, and Turkey in the autumn, and then to aim for qualification for Euro 2028. The Italian football community has been reflecting on its direction after the team 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 approaching Pirlo, the FIGC had unsuccessfully contacted Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti earlier this month.
According to Italian media, Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are now among the names being considered for the coaching role. Mancini previously led Italy to Euro 2020 success before stepping down to coach Saudi Arabia after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
The situation has been described as a setback for the FIGC, especially given the manner in which the agreement with Pirlo fell through. The federation faces pressure to make a definitive and correct choice for the national team’s future leadership.
Source: bbc.com
