Andrea Pirlo Out of Running for Italy Coach Position Over Russian Betting Company Ties
Soccer icon Andrea Pirlo will not become the Italy coach due to his association with a Russian betting company, despite previous talks for the position.
New York, NY, July 27, 2026 —
Soccer legend Andrea Pirlo has been removed from consideration for the vacant Italy national team coach position. The decision comes as a result of his association with a Russian betting company.
Pirlo, a World Cup winner and one of Italy’s most celebrated midfielders, had reportedly been in discussions for the role. However, his ties to the betting firm have created a conflict of interest that prevented further progression in the talks.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has not publicly commented on the specifics of the decision regarding Pirlo. The name of the Russian betting company with which Pirlo is associated was not provided.
The position of Italy coach became available following the departure of the previous incumbent. The FIGC is understood to be conducting a thorough search for a new head coach, prioritizing candidates whose affiliations align with the federation’s standards.
Pirlo’s playing career was marked by immense success, including a World Cup title in 2006 and multiple Serie A championships. His coaching career, while still in its early stages, has seen him manage Juventus and Fatih Karagümrük.
The FIGC has stated its commitment to appointing a coach who can lead the national team forward. Further updates on the search process are expected to be released by the federation in due course.
Story summarized from the original created by Jake Nisse on nypost.com, see more information here.