Andrea Pirlo Won’t Be Named Italy Coach Due to Sponsorship Deal with a Russian Betting Firm
Pirlo said the Fonbet deal was commercial and sports related as Italian politicians objected to a coach with ties to a Russian betting firm.
- On Monday, Andrea Pirlo was removed from consideration for the Italy national team coaching job following intense political concerns over his professional activities.
- Pirlo was initially viewed as a third choice after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola declined offers to lead the team, which failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
- Several Italian politicians criticized the Fonbet contract, arguing the national team coach should not maintain ties to Russia, though Pirlo claimed the deal was 'exclusively for commercial and sports' purposes.
- Pirlo confirmed his removal on Instagram Monday, noting he had prepared to leave his current position at Dubai United and 'heard last night that I' am no longer the candidate.
- Focus has shifted back to former coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who departed in April as Italy seeks stability after failing to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
57 Articles
57 Articles
Andrea Pirlo, approached to take over the reins of a team from Italy stuck in an unprecedented crisis, announced Monday no longer to be a candidate for the position of breeder, after having been strongly criticized for a...
The veteran ace, world champion in 2026 with the Azzurri squad, was excluded from the list of candidates - Maldini and Leonardo, who have not even completed a month in the Italian federation, are resigning.
Because Pirlo takes no responsibility for its many Russian connections, the Italian football association draws the consequence.
Italy's football stumbles from one embarrassment into the next. After the sporting crash a new beginning is supposed to come. But the top candidate for the coach post is probably out - because of a explosive contract.
Andrea Pirlo loses Italy coaching job over Russian betting controversy
Andrea Pirlo's hopes of becoming Italy's next head coach have ended after political opposition over his sponsorship deal with a Russian betting company. The World Cup winner insisted the partnership was purely commercial and had no political links.
This Monday, former midfielder Andrea Pirlo announced on his social networks that he would not take over the Italian selection.
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