ROME — Former Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo has expressed deep bitterness after being eliminated from the running to become the next head coach of the Italian national football team. The 47-year-old World Cup winner had emerged as a surprise frontrunner to revive the fortunes of the Euro 2020 champions following their disastrous third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup, especially after Spanish manager Pep Guardiola declined the post. Taking to Instagram, Pirlo revealed he was informed that he was no longer a candidate and lamented that a decision meant to be based on sporting criteria had quickly devolved into a toxic public controversy. While heavily backed by technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo, Pirlo’s candidacy faced immense friction due to his thin coaching resume—which includes a lone Italian Cup since 2020 and underwhelming stints at Juventus, Sampdoria, and Karagumruk—alongside public backlash over his commercial contract with a Russian betting firm.
The structural divide within the Italian football hierarchy ultimately sealed Pirlo’s exit, as newly installed federation chief Giovanni Malago reportedly opposed the appointment from the beginning. Pirlo, who is currently managing United Arab Emirates side Dubai United, thanked Maldini and Leonardo for their trust while firmly defending his character against the negative narrative built up in the media. Following his departure from the race, the Italian Football Federation is shifting its focus back toward a proven winner. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the prickly but highly successful Antonio Conte—who previously guided Italy and clinched multiple domestic titles with Chelsea and Juventus—is once again the leading candidate to take over the national side.
