Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as the new Italian national team head coach has been called off. The Italian Federation president, Malagò, has decided not to proceed with the signature due to Pirlo’s collaboration with a Russian betting brand.
Following the decision, Pirlo reacted via a series of posts on Instagram.
“Out of respect for the institutions, the Federation and all the people involved, I have so far chosen to remain silent, but after learning last night to no longer be the candidate for the bench of the Italian national team, I think it is necessary to clarify some aspects. In recent days I have witnessed with great bitterness the debate that has developed around my name and the possibility of covering the role of the Italian national team.
During my career, first as a footballer and today as a coach, I have always carried out my activity in full respect of the laws of the countries in which I have worked and the contracts I have signed. The professional collaboration that is the subject of recent controversies was born as part of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively of a commercial and sporting nature. To give this collaboration a political meaning is to attribute to myself convictions that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me.
I would like to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the esteem and trust they have shown me. I know their competence, their seriousness and the love they have always dedicated to Italian football. I regret that a choice of a sporting nature was quickly dragged into a public confrontation that ended up attributing to my person meanings and intentions that do not belong to me. Love for Italy does not depend on a task. It is part of my history, of my identity, and will continue to accompany me, always.”
It is unknown how Italy will proceed in their head coach search, with rumors now swirling that Paolo Maldini (president of the technical sector of the federation) could now resign following this decision.
