Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is no longer a candidate for the national team head coach position following intense political and public backlash over his commercial sponsorship ties to Russian betting firm Fonbet, ending an appointment that was widely treated as all but certain.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has found its search for a new leader plunged into turmoil once more. Just days after technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo identified Pirlo as their primary choice to replace Gennaro Gattuso, the appointment collapsed amid scrutiny from lawmakers and federation officials over the 47-year-old manager’s business ties.
The Fonbet Sponsorship and Political Backlash
The central obstacle to Pirlo taking over the Azzurri stemmed from his role as a global brand ambassador for the Russian bookmaker Fonbet, an agreement he signed last October while managing United Arab Emirates Pro League side United FC in Dubai. Because Italy enforces strict regulations regarding gambling advertising, and given the broader geopolitical climate surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine, the association immediately triggered a wave of political opposition.
Prominent Italian politicians openly questioned whether someone promoting a Russian-backed firm should hold a prominent state-linked athletic office. Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party stated that anyone promoting Russia after 2022 should be barred from national office. Meanwhile, Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, argued that Italian football desperately needed a cultural and managerial revolution, asserting that the selection of Pirlo moved in the exact opposite direction.
Pirlo Breaks Silence on Instagram
After days of public debate, Pirlo addressed the situation directly through social media. He confirmed that he was informed he was no longer under consideration for the role and defended the legitimacy of his professional contracts.
“Over the past few days, I have watched with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of taking on the role of Head Coach of the Italian national team. 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.”
Andrea Pirlo, via Reuters
Pirlo maintained that his collaboration with the betting firm was exclusively commercial and sporting in nature, rejecting any suggestion of political alignment.
Uncertainty Deepens Inside the Italian Football Federation
The failed appointment leaves the FIGC scrambling to fill a vacancy left by Gattuso, who stepped down following a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April. That playoff defeat extended a painful period for the four-time world champions, who missed qualification for three World Cups.
Before turning to Pirlo, the federation unsuccessfully approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Technical director Paolo Maldini, who took office just weeks ago, reportedly considered stepping down following the decision by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò to block the Pirlo agreement.
With Pirlo out of the running, Italian media report that the federation is returning to familiar names, including former managers Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.
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