Andrea Pirlo Out of Italy Manager Race Over Russian Betting Firm Backlash

Andrea Pirlo has stated he is no longer in contention to manage the Italian national football team, following days of intense controversy surrounding his commercial ties to a Russian betting corporation.

His appointment as the next Azzurri head coach had not yet been formally confirmed by the Italian Football Federation, or FIGC, though it was widely viewed as a done deal. However, over the weekend, multiple Italian politicians voiced strong objections to the FIGC's choice, pointing out that the 47-year-old Pirlo assumed the role of global ambassador for Russia's Fonbet last October.

The betting firm has funded various athletic competitions involving veterans from Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine and has orchestrated events inside Russia where Pirlo shared the stage with pro-Kremlin figures.

"Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office," said Carlo Calenda of the centrist Azione party.

Carlo Calenda

Scrutiny over Pirlo's partnership with Fonbet escalated last spring when he traveled to Moscow for a company event, signing autographs at Luzhniki Stadium alongside former teammate Marco Materazzi. Nationalist pro-Kremlin pop star Shaman, who has openly backed the invasion of Ukraine, also performed during the gathering. At the time, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych pointed out that the Luzhniki event coincided with a massive Russian missile assault on Ukraine, and criticized Pirlo for posing beside Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who famously declared on social media that he was proud to be Russian after the war began.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The fallout now threatens to consume newly appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who assumed office on July 11 and may step down due to the failed appointment of Pirlo, according to Italian media reports. Maldini and his advisor, former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, were tasked with appointing a fresh head coach to steer Italy through an upcoming Nations League group featuring France, Belgium, and Turkey, followed by qualification campaigns for Euro 2028.

The Italian football ecosystem has been undergoing deep introspection following the national team's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup earlier this year. Italy's penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in April forced coach Gennaro Gattuso to resign and triggered a broad leadership reshuffle within the FIGC. Earlier this month, both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were approached before the federation turned its focus to Pirlo.

According to Italian reports, alternative candidates currently under consideration include Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, the latter of whom guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory before missing out on the Qatar World Cup and abruptly leaving his post to manage Saudi Arabia.

Source: BBC World