Italy did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They then watched it from dwelling as the remainder of the world performed on.
And now, as they try and rebuild, the method has collapsed into precisely the form of embarrassing farce that explains how they ended up on this mess within the first place.
Andrea Pirlo has been dominated out of the Italy head coach place attributable to his affiliation with a Russian sports activities betting platform, which led to vital political strain on FIGC president Giovanni Malago to dam his appointment.
Pirlo confirmed in a press release that he was knowledgeable late on Sunday night time that he was not within the operating for the job.
Pirlo is at present below contract with Dubai membership United FC whereas additionally serving as a worldwide model ambassador for Russian betting supplier Fonbet.
He careworn that the collaboration was “completely business and sporting in nature” – however after reviewing the contract paperwork, the federation management round Malago reached a unique conclusion.
The federal lawyer spent the weekend analyzing the contract and located it was in a roundabout way tied to his function as supervisor of United FC, which is owned by Sergey Lomakin, however was moderately a private partnership.
FIGC’s precedence candidate was Pep Guardiola, who rejected the chance. Carlo Ancelotti additionally turned it down.
That left Pirlo as the choice backed by technical director Paolo Maldini – himself solely appointed a fortnight in the past – and his advisor Leonardo.
Malago’s personal most well-liked candidate had been Roberto Mancini, who had resigned from Al-Sadd in June and was prepared for a second stint in cost. Mancini is reported to really feel “deserted” by the federation and is livid that he was handed over.
Malago selecting up the items
Now Malago is left selecting up the items.
“The brand new coach? I’ve been receiving tons of messages since this morning,” the FIGC president mentioned.
“I’ll communicate to everybody as quickly as potential, as is barely proper.” He added: “He’ll be right here quickly, by tomorrow. I’m engaged on it.”
When pressed on whether or not Thiago Motta was a candidate, his response was: “I can’t say sure or no. Who was I referring to once I spoke of embarrassing conditions? Everyone seems to be free to interpret it as they need.”
The fallout has prolonged to Maldini, who has now resigned as technical director, alongside Leonardo.
Even Italian politics has been dragged in. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, talking on the presentation of Roma’s new stadium plans, was requested in regards to the scenario.
Malago insists the larger image is evident even when the instant subsequent step will not be. “To get well our aggressive credibility on the prime stage, the place nothing is assured, you want to work on youngsters who at the moment are between 13 and 16 years outdated,” he mentioned.
“For this, you want to change the whole course of when it comes to coaching and tradition, and this additionally consists of the coach. The concepts are very clear.”
