Andrea Pirlo out of running for Italy job but defends deal with Russian betting firm

Andrea Pirlo has confirmed he is no longer in line to coach Italy, with his sponsorship deal with a Russian betting firm believed to behind the development.Several Italian politicians have raised concerns about Pirlo’s role as an ambassador for Fonbet, saying the national team coach should not have conflicting views on Italy’s support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.Writing on Instagram on Monday, Pirlo said he “heard last night that I’m no longer the candidate for the Italy national team job”. The former Azzurri midfielder had previously insisted that the Fonbet deal was linked to his job in the United Arab Emirates and is “exclusively for commercial and sports purposes”, adding: “Attributing a political significance to that collaboration means attributing beliefs to me that I have never expressed and don’t belong to me.”Despite Pirlo having the backing of the newly-appointed Italian football federation technical director ‌Paolo Maldini, the controversy has created significant friction among politicians. “After yet another defeat and another missed World Cup qualification, Italian football desperately needed a cultural, ethical and managerial revolution. The choice of Andrea Pirlo goes in the exact opposite direction,” Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, said on social media.Ignazio La Russa, the head of the Senate and a member of prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, expressed doubts over the potential appointment. Speaking to the news agency Ansa on Saturday, La Russa said: “I am speaking ​only because you called me: ‌God help us. Of course ​I am an Italy fan ​and Pirlo was a great champion, but as a coach, it is a leap in the dark.” Carlo Calenda, leader of the Azione party, was even more direct in his criticism. “Anyone who is or has been promoting Russia after 2022 should not hold national office,” he said.The FIGC turned to Pirlo – who had been prepared to leave his current job as coach of Dubai United – after failing to land either of their first-choice candidates, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti in their search for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who left his post by mutual consent in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third World Cup in succession.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionNow the former Italy coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are back being discussed for the job.