Andrea Pirlo set to become new Italy head coach

Former Juventus manager and 2006 World Cup winner poised to succeed Gattuso after Guardiola and Ancelotti turn down the role. Andrea Pirlo is on the verge of being confirmed as the new head coach of the Italy national football team, according to widespread Italian media reports on Friday. The appointment would end a lengthy search by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to find a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in April after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time. Search concludes FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo Nascimento de Araújohad been weighing up the appointment for some time. Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly considered before the federation made a concerted attempt to lure Pep Guardiola away from Manchester City. Guardiola, however, turned the role down, said to be prioritising a sabbatical and time with his family over the FIGC's more modest financial terms; he had reportedly sought a salary far beyond the federation's budget. Roberto Mancini, who previously managed Italy, had also hoped for a return to the post. Shortlist With those options exhausted, Maldini and Leonardo turned back to a name that had featured on their shortlist from the outset: Pirlo. Terms are understood to be largely agreed, with a contract of around four years on the table, worth roughly €1.5 million a season plus bonuses, running to the end of the 2030 World Cup. Pirlo must first settle his existing contract with United FC in Dubai before he can be formally unveiled. The FIGC's Federal Council is due to meet next Tuesday, when the appointment could be formally ratified. Who is Andrea Pirlo? Pirlo, 47, was one of Italy's most gifted midfielders of his generation, renowned for his composure and passing range. He won 116 caps for the Azzurri and was a key figure in the side that lifted the 2006 World Cup in Germany, having also played for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus during a decorated club career. His managerial record has been more mixed. Pirlo's first job came at Juventus in 2020, where he won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in a single season before departing. He subsequently had spells with Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey and Sampdoria in Serie B, before taking charge of United FC in the United Arab Emirates. None of those posts lasted more than a season, with the exception of Sampdoria, where he took 45 matches. This will be his first role at international level. Maldini and Leonardo are said to have been convinced by Pirlo's footballing philosophy and his rapport with both men from their time together at Milan, as well as his admiration for Ancelotti. The federation wants the new coach to focus on developing young talent as Italy attempt to rebuild in time for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. Staff beginning to take shape Pirlo is reportedly already assembling his backroom team. Roberto Baronio, his long-standing assistant who has worked alongside him at United FC, Sampdoria and Karagümrük, is expected to continue in that role; the pair were teammates when Italy won the European Under-21 Championship in 2000. Roberto De Bellis, another member of his staff in Dubai, is tipped to become fitness coach, while Marco Savorani could return as goalkeeping coach, a post he previously held under Luciano Spalletti between 2023 and 2025. An official announcement is expected imminently, barring any last-minute complications. Photo credit: cristiano barni / Shutterstock.com

WIRE — Former Juventus manager and 2006 World Cup winner poised to succeed Gattuso after Guardiola and Ancelotti turn down the role. Andrea Pirlo is on the verge of being confirmed as the new head coach of the Italy national football team, according to widespread Italian media reports on Friday. The appointment would end a lengthy search by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to find a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned in April after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time. Search concludes FIGC president Giovanni Malagò, technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo Nascimento de Araújohad been weighing up the appointment for some time. Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly considered before the federation made a concerted attempt to lure Pep Guardiola away from Manchester City. Guardiola, however, turned the role down, said to be prioritising a sabbatical and time with his family over the FIGC's more modest financial terms; he had reportedly sought a salary far beyond the federation's budget. Roberto Mancini, who previously managed Italy, had also hoped for a return to the post. Shortlist With those options exhausted, Maldini and Leonardo turned back to a name that had featured on their shortlist from the outset: Pirlo. Terms are understood to be largely agreed, with a contract of around four years on the table, worth roughly €1.5 million a season plus bonuses, running to the end of the 2030 World Cup. Pirlo must first settle his existing contract with United FC in Dubai before he can be formally unveiled. The FIGC's Federal Council is due to meet next Tuesday, when the appointment could be formally ratified. Who is Andrea Pirlo? Pirlo, 47, was one of Italy's most gifted midfielders of his generation, renowned for his composure and passing range. He won 116 caps for the Azzurri and was a key figure in the side that lifted the 2006 World Cup in Germany, having also played for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus during a decorated club career. His managerial record has been more mixed. Pirlo's first job came at Juventus in 2020, where he won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in a single season before departing. He subsequently had spells with Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey and Sampdoria in Serie B, before taking charge of United FC in the United Arab Emirates. None of those posts lasted more than a season, with the exception of Sampdoria, where he took 45 matches. This will be his first role at international level. Maldini and Leonardo are said to have been convinced by Pirlo's footballing philosophy and his rapport with both men from their time together at Milan, as well as his admiration for Ancelotti. The federation wants the new coach to focus on developing young talent as Italy attempt to rebuild in time for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. Staff beginning to take shape Pirlo is reportedly already assembling his backroom team. Roberto Baronio, his long-standing assistant who has worked alongside him at United FC, Sampdoria and Karagümrük, is expected to continue in that role; the pair were teammates when Italy won the European Under-21 Championship in 2000. Roberto De Bellis, another member of his staff in Dubai, is tipped to become fitness coach, while Marco Savorani could return as goalkeeping coach, a post he previously held under Luciano Spalletti between 2023 and 2025. An official announcement is expected imminently, barring any last-minute complications. Photo credit: cristiano barni / Shutterstock.com

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