Andrea Pirlo will not become the next manager of the Italy national team, bringing a premature and dramatic end to a much-anticipated appointment. The former midfielder with 116 international caps announced on his Instagram account that he is no longer in the running for the Azzurri post.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to reports, the stunning turnaround stems from a veto by FIGC president Giovanni Malago. The federation leadership reportedly deemed Pirlo's ambassador role for a betting operator incompatible with leading the national team.
The decision shatters the plans of the technical duo Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who had made Pirlo their top priority. Sources indicate that Maldini and Leonardo could now step down from their respective technical director and advisory roles within the federation.
Defending himself against the controversy, Pirlo stated that "attributing a political meaning to this collaboration is attributing convictions I have never expressed". He added that he has "always exercised my activity in full respect of the laws of the countries where I have worked."
With previous pursuits of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti also falling through, the federation faces immense pressure. Potential alternatives such as Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte remain under consideration as the search for a new leader continues.
Concluding his statement, Pirlo thanked Maldini and Leonardo for their trust and reaffirmed his commitment to his homeland. "My love for Italy does not depend on a job," the 2006 World Cup winner declared.