Squadra Azzurra: Pirlo no longer sees himself as a coaching candidate in Italy

In the meantime, it had already been reported that the association and the 116-time national player – one of the key performers in Italy’s title win in Germany in 2006 – had agreed on a four-year contract with the goal of the 2030 World Cup. However, reports emerged over the weekend that Pirlo’s Russian contacts could jeopardize the signing.

Under contract with a club with a Russian owner

The former midfield star is currently coaching United FC Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Russian billionaire Sergei Lomakin, for a salary of millions. Pirlo is also a global brand ambassador for the Russian betting provider Fonbet. A few weeks ago he was in Moscow for an autograph session, which caused a stir not only in Italy in view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

Pirlo initially rejected all criticism on his Instagram account that night. In the morning he reported in a new entry that he had learned “that I am no longer being discussed as a candidate for the coaching position.” However, the former world-class player left it open who he wanted to hear this from. He is following the entire debate “with great bitterness.”

Russian ambassador assures “full solidarity”

Pirlo further emphasized that his work in the Emirates was exclusively of a sporting and commercial nature. “To attribute political meaning to it is to attribute to me beliefs that I have never expressed and do not have.” Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, then assured him of his “full solidarity”. The case is now also a concern for Italian politics.

Four-time world champion Italy missed the World Cup for the third time in a row in the spring, which is why national coach Gennaro Gattuso had to leave. Pirlo was in the 2006 World Cup team with Gattuso. After his playing career ended with stints at the Milan clubs Inter and AC as well as Juventus Turin, he coached Juve and Sampdoria Genoa, among others – albeit with moderate success.

Maldini already on the verge of elimination?

According to media reports, Pirlo’s departure could also have an impact on Paolo Maldini, who had just taken up the job as technical director of the national team. The former football star stood up for his former teammate Pirlo after the former Barcelona, ​​Bayern and Manchester City coach Guradiola canceled. It is believed that Maldini could now immediately resign from his post if the association does not actually make Pirlo the selection coach.