The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has abandoned plans to appoint Andrea Pirlo as head coach, according to Sofascore. The decision follows a controversy over Pirlo's commercial ties with Russian betting brand Fonbet.
Sofascore reports that the FIGC is now back to square one in its search for a new manager. Pirlo had been the leading candidate to replace the previous coach, but the Fonbet association proved untenable for the federation. The former Juventus and Italy midfielder has described the Fonbet deal as purely commercial, Punch Newspapers reports, but the FIGC deemed it incompatible with the role.
The coaching saga has already claimed a high-profile casualty. Sky Sports reports that Paolo Maldini resigned as FIGC technical director after just 16 days in the post, amid the turmoil over the head coach selection. Meanwhile, BBC reports that Pep Guardiola has declined an approach from the FIGC to take the job, further narrowing the federation's options.
Pirlo has expressed bitterness over the debate that cost him the position, according to Channels Television. The FIGC must now restart its search for a candidate who can navigate both the technical demands of the role and the federation's commercial sensitivities.
What to watch next: The FIGC's next move in identifying a viable head coach candidate willing to accept the job under current conditions.
