Former Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has expressed his support for Pep Guardiola to take charge of the Italian national team, according to an interview with Marca. Pirlo’s comments come after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, a situation he described as a recurring disappointment for the nation.
Pirlo stated that Guardiola’s appointment would be “extraordinary for all of Italian football” and hopes the possibility is seriously considered. He dismissed concerns about Guardiola’s nationality, pointing to examples such as Carlo Ancelotti managing Brazil and Thomas Tuchel leading England as precedents. Pirlo believes the nationality of the manager is no longer a significant barrier in modern football.
The former midfielder acknowledged the sadness within Italy regarding the continued absence from the World Cup, highlighting the positive impact a tournament appearance has on a country’s morale and unity. He emphasized that the repeated failures to qualify have become a disheartening pattern for Italian supporters.
During the interview, Pirlo also praised Cesc Fabregas for his success at Como, crediting the Spaniard with securing their Champions League qualification. He noted Fabregas’s positive impact since arriving at the club, specifically highlighting his role in player recruitment and establishing a distinct style of play. Pirlo described watching Como play as a “pleasure” and extended his congratulations to Fabregas.
Pirlo also discussed the potential appointment of Andoni Iraola as the new manager of AC Milan, a club he knows well. Having played alongside Iraola at New York City FC in MLS, Pirlo expressed his happiness with Iraola’s recent performance in the Premier League and believes he would be a good fit for Milan. However, reports suggest Iraola is currently close to agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen, potentially ending Milan’s pursuit.
