Andrea Pirlo BLOCKED from becoming Italy manager in dramatic U-turn that could see Paolo Maldini quit

ANDREA PIRLO’S case to become Italy’s next manager has been flattened after shocking links to a Russian betting agency were revealed. The former World Cup winner had emerged as a potential candidate for the Azzurri job – backed by the new Italian Football Federation (FIGC) technical director Paolo Maldini. Andrea Pirlo will not be the next Italy coach Credit: Getty The Italian boss has been removed from the running due to commercial ties with Russia Credit: Reuters While coaching Dubai’s FC United, Pirlo was named a global brand ambassador for Fonbet in October 2025, one of Russia’s largest sports betting companies. Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Pirlo said: “I learned last night that I am no longer a candidate for the Italian national team.” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! With the FIGC president Giovanni Malago not giving the green light for the appointment, Maldini and Leonardo may also walk. In his Instagram statement, Pirlo said: “In recent days, I have witnessed 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. “Out of respect for the institutions, the Federation, and all those involved, I have chosen to remain silent until now.” “However, I feel it is my duty to clarify certain aspects. “Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always conducted my activities in full compliance with the laws of the countries in which I have worked and the contracts I have signed. “The professional collaboration at the centre of the recent controversy arose as part of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature .” Most read in Sport Pirlo lifted the World Cup trophy in 2006 with the Azzurri Credit: Getty Images – Getty Best sport travel offers HERE are our top picks of the best sport travel trips this summer. We have teamed up with some of the UK’s finest travel firms to come up with these offers. 🏎️ SEE the Italian Grand Prix with tickets, flights and 5 nights in a hotel for just £789pp. – – MORE DETAILS HERE 🏇 TREAT yourself to a trip to York Ebor with £20 off hospitality – – MORE DETAILS HERE 🎯 WATCH the world’s finest darts players go head to head at Butlin’s Minehead at the PDC Championship Finals — MORE DETAILS HERE * If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue. All direct and indirect adverts, endorsements, and sponsorship of betting operators are prohibited in Italy. Originally, Pirlo argued that the Fonbet partnership was an involuntary extension of his role at FC United. However, club owner Sergey Lomakin has denied these claims, putting Pirlo’s personal liability at stake. There were further issues that arose from EU regulations and international sanction regimes imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Pirlo added: “Attributing political meaning to this collaboration means attributing to me beliefs I have never expressed and that are not mine. “I would like to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the esteem and trust they have shown me. “I know their expertise, their seriousness, and the love they have always dedicated to Italian football. “I regret that a sporting decision was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended up attributing to me meanings and intentions that are not mine. “My love for Italy does not depend on a position. “It is part of my history, my identity, and will continue to accompany me, always.” Pirlo has reportedly visited Russia numerous times as a part of the deal with Fonbet – even making a trip to Moscow in May 2026. Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are now the frontrunners to take up the job of getting Italy to Euro 2028. Comment now