Italian legend Andrea Pirlo confirmed that he is no longer a candidate to coach the Italian national team.
Andrea Pirlo's name has distanced itself from coaching the Italian national team in recent hours due to his contract with a Russian betting company. (See details)
Pirlo said via his personal Instagram account: "I learned last night that I am no longer among the candidates to coach the Italian national team."
This comes in the wake of the statement in which he clarified his position that sparked controversy in recent hours.
Pirlo wrote in his statement on Instagram
"In recent days, I have followed with great bitterness the controversy that has arisen around my name and the possibility of assuming the position of technical director of the Italian national team.
Out of respect for the institutions, the federation, and all concerned parties, I have chosen until now to remain silent. But I see it as my duty to clarify some aspects.
Throughout my career, first as a player and today as a coach, I have always practiced my activity within the framework of full respect for the laws of the countries in which I have worked and for the contracts I have signed.
The professional collaboration subject to the recent controversy arose in the context of my professional career in the United Arab Emirates and is of a purely commercial and sporting nature. Attributing a political meaning to this collaboration means ascribing to me convictions that I have never expressed and that do not reflect me.
I would like to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the appreciation and trust they have shown toward me. I know their competence, their seriousness, and the love they have always devoted to Italian football.
I regret that a choice of a sporting nature was quickly dragged into a public confrontation that ended with attributing meanings and intentions to my person that are not mine.
My love for Italy does not depend on a position. It is part of my history, my identity, and will always accompany me.
The Italian Consumer Protection Agency requested that the Italian Federation not appoint Pirlo because he is a "global ambassador for a Russian betting company".
The statement said, "The Italian Consumer Protection Agency team will submit an official request to the Communications Authority tomorrow requesting the opening of an investigation into Andrea Pirlo in light of the violation of the rules prohibiting gambling sponsorship."
It added, "Not only that, but if the Italian Football Federation appoints him as coach of the national team, an immediate appeal will be filed with the Lazio Court to prevent this nomination."
It continued, "As is known, Pirlo is an ambassador for a Russian betting site, and he also creates content in Italy through his social media channels and other activities as a former player, promoting gambling in complete violation of Article 9 of the Dignity Decree, which prohibits any form of advertising, sponsorship, or promotion of gambling with cash winnings."
Pirlo holds the position of ambassador at the Russian company as part of his contract to coach the Emirati team Dubai United, which he signed in 2025 under the presidency of the club's Russian owner Sergei Lomakin, who is also a shareholder in the Russian betting company.
Pirlo was attacked by Italian Senator Carlo Calenda, who stated, "No one who has promoted or promoted Russia after the 2022 attack on Ukraine should hold a national position."
According to the Italian newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport," Italian Federation President Giovanni Malago halted negotiations with Pirlo due to the crisis that surfaced in recent hours.
The pink newspaper's report indicated that "Pirlo is upset by the matter and sees it as a politically motivated and even hypocritical accusation."
According to reports, the Italian Federation may be considering new options for coaching the national team after the new crisis.
Among the nominated names are Stefano Pioli, former coach of Milan and Al-Nassr, Raffaele Palladino, former coach of Fiorentina and Atalanta, in addition to Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.
So who will be the new coach of the Italian national team?
The position of technical director has remained vacant since Gennaro Gattuso's resignation following Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup this year.
The Azzurri national team has missed the tournament for the third consecutive time.
The Italian national team is in Group One of the UEFA Nations League, which includes France, Belgium, and Turkey.
The Italian national team begins its campaign in the tournament during the September and October international breaks with matches against Belgium then Turkey in September, followed by France and Turkey in October.
It concludes the group stage in November with matches against France and Belgium respectively.
