Andrea Pirlo has confirmed that he is no longer a candidate for the head coach position of the Italian national team. His withdrawal from the position followed the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) rejection of his appointment, which had previously been considered a near certainty. Pirlo stated on Monday morning that he felt a duty to clarify certain aspects of his situation.
The primary reason for Pirlo's withdrawal is the controversy surrounding his business ties with the Russian betting company Fonbet. The 47-year-old, who took on the role of global ambassador for the company in October, had the betting firm sponsor sporting events that included veterans of the war in Ukraine, and the company had also hosted events in Russia where Pirlo appeared alongside pro-Kremlin figures.
Italian politicians strongly criticised the FIGC's choice over the weekend. Carlo Calenda, from the centrist Azione party, stated that no one promoting Russia after 2022 should be performing national duties. Pirlo, in his statement, emphasised that the professional relationship he undertook as a coach of United FC was purely of a commercial and sporting nature.
This case further complicates the situation within the Italian Football Federation, which is already facing unrest following Italy's third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup. The FIGC has now had to review its appointment strategy following public pressure. Pirlo's name is no longer mentioned in the context of the candidacy, as the federation seeks a new solution for the national team bench at a time when the team is in need of stability.
