Italian soccer legend Andrea Pirlo will no longer become the federation’s males’s nationwide team coach due to his betting hyperlinks.
Pirlo, who earned 116 caps for Italy and won the World Cup in 2006, was set to lead the Azzurri after talks with Pep Guardiola over the position broke down.
But the federation carried out a U-turn over Pirlo’s candidacy due to his position as a international ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet.
Those ties led to reported objections from federation officers, and have also resulted in the departures of two executives who took jobs with the Italy set-up just over two weeks in the past.
Paolo Maldini, a legendary defender who was a teammate of Pirlo’s at AC Milan and Italy, has reportedly stop his position as technical director. Leonardo, a former player for Brazil, has also stop his position as an advisor.
Andrea Pirlo will not be Italy’s next nationwide team coach after all AC Milan via Getty Images
Pirlo, who is at present the coach of Dubai United in the United Arab Emirates, regarded set to become Italy’s coach despite principally unfruitful stints with Juventus and Sampdoria in current years.
However, Italian federation president Giovanni Malagò — as effectively as Italian politicians — were reportedly opposed to the transfer.
Pirlo, following his provide being pulled, said the Fonbet position was related to his job with Dubai United, and is “exclusively for commercial and sports” functions.
“To assign a political meaning to that collaboration is to attribute to me beliefs that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” he said on social media.
Pirlo’s ties to Russia were believed to be thought of problematic amid the nation’s battle with Ukraine, and Italy’s support for the latter.
The legendary midfielder ended his profession with NYCFC from 2015-17. AP
He added that the current dialogue surrounding him has brought about “great bitterness” in him.
“Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I have worked and with the contracts I have signed,” he added.
Italian soccer is in disaster mode after lacking its third consecutive World Cup, after shedding to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the closing qualification playoff.
Now, reporter Gianluca Di Marzio is linking Roberto Mancini (who beforehand coached the team from 2018-23) to the position.
– With wires
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