# Andrea Pirlo pulls out of Italy manager race amid fierce backlash over Russian betting ties

> Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from consideration to coach the Italian national football team following intense political and public backlash over his commercial ties to a Russian betting firm.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Sports · **Published:** 2026-07-27 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/sports/andrea-pirlo-pulls-out-of-italy-manager-race-amid-fierce-backlash-over-russian-betting-ties-10906 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Andrea Pirlo, Italian Football, FIGC, Russia controversy, Football Manager, Sports News

Andrea Pirlo has confirmed that he is no longer in the running to manage the Italian national football team, stepping aside following days of mounting controversy regarding his connections to a Russian betting company. While his appointment as the next head coach had not yet been officially rubber-stamped by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the move was widely viewed as all but finalized within the sporting community before the backlash erupted.

Over the weekend, prominent Italian politicians voiced strong objections to the federation's prospective choice. Carlo Calenda, a leading figure in the centrist Azione party, publicly criticized the selection, stating that anyone who has promoted Russia following the events of 2022 should not hold a prominent national office. In response to the intensifying scrutiny, the 47-year-old took to social media on Monday morning to address the situation. Writing in an Instagram post, Pirlo stated that after learning the previous night that he was no longer a candidate for the national team position, he felt compelled to clear the air on several key matters.

Addressing the controversy, Pirlo expressed deep regret over the public discourse surrounding his name, noting that he had watched the debates unfold with considerable bitterness. He clarified that his professional collaborations undertaken while serving as the head coach for United FC in Dubai were strictly commercial and sporting in nature. Rejecting any political interpretation of his actions, he emphasized that assigning political motives to those business relationships meant attributing beliefs to him that he had never held or expressed. This perspective contrasted sharply with remarks from Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, who argued over the weekend that Italian football desperately required an ethical and managerial revolution, claiming that the selection of Pirlo moved in the exact opposite direction.

Conversely, Pirlo received backing from the international diplomatic community, notably from the Russian ambassador in Rome, Aleksey Paramonov. The ambassador described it as saddening that despite Pirlo's extraordinary contributions to global athletics and Italy's international reputation, he was facing ostracization within his own country. Scrutiny surrounding Pirlo's association with Fonbet first intensified last spring when he participated in a promotional event in Moscow, signing autographs alongside former teammate Marco Materazzi at Luzhniki Stadium. The event also featured performances by Shaman, a pro-Kremlin pop star known for vocal support of the war in Ukraine. Critics, including activist Heraskevych, also took aim at Pirlo for appearing alongside Russian footballer Artem Dzyuba, who had publicly declared his pride in being Russian following the outbreak of the conflict.

The fallout from the failed appointment now threatens to destabilize the leadership within the FIGC, with reports from Italian media suggesting that newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini, who took office on 11 July, might step down. Maldini and his adviser, former AC Milan teammate Leonardo, had been tasked with identifying a suitable manager to steer Italy through a challenging Nations League campaign featuring matches against France, Belgium, and Turkey in the autumn, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for Euro 2028. Prior to turning their attention to Pirlo earlier this month, federation officials had unsuccessfully approached high-profile managers Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. According to ongoing reports in the Italian press, other managerial candidates currently under consideration include Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, the latter of whom famously guided Italy to Euro 2020 glory before resigning following the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.

## What this means for you
- **Global Sports:** The controversy highlights the growing intersection between athletics and international geopolitics, placing strict scrutiny on athletes' commercial associations.
- **Italian Football:** Delays in securing a permanent national team manager could disrupt strategic preparations for upcoming international fixtures and tournament qualifiers.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Why did Andrea Pirlo withdraw from the Italy manager race?
Pirlo stepped aside following intense public and political backlash over his commercial ties to a Russian betting company, Fonbet.

### 2. Had the Italian Football Federation officially confirmed Pirlo's appointment?
No, his appointment had not yet been officially confirmed by the FIGC, though it was widely treated as all but certain.

### 3. What coaching role does Andrea Pirlo currently hold?
Pirlo is currently serving as the head coach of Dubai United, a club based in the UAE.

### 4. Who is the newly appointed technical director of the FIGC?
Paolo Maldini assumed the role of technical director for the Italian Football Federation on 11 July.

### 5. Which teams are in Italy's Nations League group for the autumn?
Italy is scheduled to face France, Belgium, and Turkey in their upcoming Nations League group fixtures.

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