Andrea Pirlo has reportedly been ruled out of the race to become the next head coach of the Italian national team after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) raised concerns over his association with a Russian betting company.
The former Italy midfielder was considered among the possible candidates to take charge of the Azzurri, but his ambassador role with the betting firm is said to have created a conflict with the federation’s internal regulations.
According to reports, Pirlo’s commercial relationship with the company became a major obstacle, with officials concerned that the link could affect the image and reputation of the national team.
The situation was further complicated by reports of Pirlo’s frequent visits to Moscow and his connections with Russian-based organisations.
The issue reportedly attracted political attention, with some members of the Italian Parliament expressing opposition to his possible appointment.
The FIGC is believed to have decided that the circumstances surrounding Pirlo’s external commitments made him an unsuitable choice for the role at this stage, bringing an end to his hopes of returning to the Azzurri setup in a coaching capacity.
Pirlo, who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy as a player, has previously managed clubs including Juventus, where he spent one season as head coach, and Sampdoria.
Although his coaching career is still developing, his reputation as one of Italy’s greatest midfielders has kept him among the names considered for major roles.
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With Pirlo no longer in contention, former Italy coaches Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini have reportedly moved ahead as leading candidates for the national team position.
Conte guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 and is widely respected for his tactical organisation and ability to build competitive teams.
Mancini, meanwhile, delivered Italy’s European Championship triumph in 2021 before leaving the position in 2023.
