The appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new manager of the Italian national team has collapsed after just sixteen days, triggering a significant reshuffle within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). According to reports from Nazionale, the breakdown occurred following concerns raised by FIGC president Giovanni Malagò regarding Pirlo’s connections to Russian betting company Fonbet. This has led to the departure of both Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who had been appointed to oversee the technical direction alongside Pirlo.
Pirlo himself released a statement acknowledging he was no longer a candidate, clarifying that the situation stemmed from a conversation with Maldini and was unrelated to his commercial dealings. The abrupt end to the Pirlo project has forced Malagò to revisit previous candidates, with Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini now firmly back in contention, Mancini currently considered the slight favorite. The situation unfolded rapidly after initial optimism surrounded the appointment of Maldini and Leonardo, tasked with modernizing the national team’s approach.
The fallout extends beyond the managerial position, with a fractured relationship now existing between Malagò and Maldini and Leonardo. Malagò attempted to explain his decision, emphasizing the need to avoid any perception of conflict of interest related to Pirlo's association with Fonbet. He also suggested alternative candidates, including Thiago Motta, who align with the initial vision of a young, forward-thinking coach. However, the trust between the parties has been irrevocably damaged, resulting in a mutual agreement to terminate the contracts of Maldini and Leonardo.
Malagò is now prioritizing the appointment of a new director of technical affairs, with Giorgio Chiellini emerging as a leading candidate, before finalizing the managerial position. While Conte remains a strong contender, particularly favored by clubs within Serie A, Mancini’s prior experience with the national team and a previous understanding with Malagò give him a slight edge. A federal council meeting is scheduled to discuss the situation further, though a final decision is not expected immediately. Officials anticipate a resolution within two to three days, bringing an end to a month-long period of uncertainty. The situation has also sparked a public exchange between Malagò and the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga.
