Key Takeaways:
- Andrea Pirlo confirmed on Sunday evening that he is no longer a candidate for the Italy national team head coach position
- Pirlo’s candidacy was derailed after revelations about his ambassadorial role with Russian betting company Fonbet surfaced over the weekend
- Newly-appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo had publicly backed Pirlo for the position
Pirlo Confirms Withdrawal from Italy Managerial Consideration
Andrea Pirlo has formally announced that he is no longer a contender for the Italy national team managerial role, expressing a sense of “bitterness” about recent developments. Pirlo emerged as the leading candidate for the position after it was confirmed that neither Pep Guardiola nor Carlo Ancelotti would be pursuing the job. His potential appointment was strongly supported by the newly installed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo. However, off-field complications quickly led to a dramatic turn in events.
🚨🇮🇹 Official: Andrea Pirlo 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. ❌ pic.twitter.com/0kym57dEz7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2026
Gambling Sponsorship Raises Conflict
During the weekend, it was revealed that Pirlo serves as a global brand ambassador for a Russian betting company. Given Italy’s stringent regulations on gambling advertising, this association severely diminished the prospects of his appointment as national team head coach. These revelations rapidly escalated into widespread controversy and debate within the Italian football community.
Pirlo Releases Official Statements
Pirlo initially thanked Maldini and Leonardo for their advocacy in a statement released Sunday evening, subtly acknowledging that he was stepping aside from the selection process. He later shared an updated message via his Instagram story, confirming his definitive withdrawal from contention for the Italy head coach post.
Pirlo’s Full Statement
The following direct quotes from Pirlo outline his position and sentiments concerning the unfolding situation.
Pirlo posts updated statement: ‘After learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italy position …’
“Out of respect for the institutions, the federation and everybody involved, I have chosen to remain silent until now. However, after learning last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italy national team head coach position, I feel it is necessary to clarify a few points,” Pirlo wrote.
“Over the past few days, I have watched with great bitterness as the debate regarding my name and the possibility of my taking on the role of Italy national team head coach unfold.
“Throughout my career, first as a player and then as a coach, I have always performed my duties within full respect of the laws of the countries I have worked in and the contracts I signed.
“The professional collaboration that is the subject of recent controversy came about as part of my working experience in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature. Attributing political meaning to this collaboration means attributing convictions to me that I have never expressed and that I do not hold.
“I wish to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the respect and faith that they showed in me. I know their competence, their seriousness, and the love that they have always dedicated to Italian football.
“However, it is regrettable that a decision based on sporting grounds was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended up attribution motives and intentions to my name that never existed. My love for Italy does not depend on a job. It is part of my history, my identity, and will continue to accompany me, always.”
