Pirlo is set to be the new football national team coach of Italy, and his signature is expected.
Andrea Pirlo has taken the lead among the coaches bidding for the Azzurri role following Pep Guardiola’s overnight refusal, which was motivated by personal rather than financial considerations. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have chosen the former AC Milan and Juventus playmaker, who is now the manager of United FC Dubai, as the best option to revitalise Italy’s faltering football system.
The Catalan coach turned down the Italian Football Federation’s invitation, reaffirming his intention to take a sabbatical after 10 years in Manchester. He admitted to the Azzurri executives that he was “very tempted,” but his family obligations came first.
Meanwhile, reports on websites indicate that an agreement has already been signed with Pirlo for the next four years, but the Italian Football Federation has yet to declare an official pact, and Mancini is also thought to be in the race.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the Klopp era is starting. The new coach’s contract runs until 2030: “It’s the pinnacle of my career.”
After all, as they explained Thursday in the press room on Via Rosellini, the federation’s new managers are looking for a coach who thinks like them. “Many can be successful, but we want to find a harmony of thought. Then, with him, we can then guide the entire process.” It’s clear that such a coach can only be Pirlo, who in his career led Juventus (winning one Coppa Italia and one Supercoppa Italiana), Fatih Karagümrük, and Sampdoria before arriving in the Emirates.
More experienced coaches with solid backgrounds and resumes, like Antonio Conte (the Serie A club’s favourite) or Roberto Mancini, whom Malagò had entrusted with the task, would struggle to fit into such a context, where competition with two strong men like Maldini and Leonardo would be inevitable.
Before potentially signing a four-year deal with the Federation, Pirlo would have to free himself from the agreement with the Gulf club, which runs until 2027. These are hectic hours of anticipation. Andrea is hopeful, knowing he enjoys Maldini’s full respect, and believes that obtaining a termination of his contract will be no problem .
One final piece is missing: the green light from Giovanni Malagò, who has not given up on his promise to entrust the Azzurri’s renaissance to a coach with a richer trophy cabinet.
Moreover, the FIGC president is aware of the concerns of the various parties. On the one hand, he promised Maldini he would fully support his choice of coach, on the other, he knows that a poor choice would be blamed on the federation president. This weekend will certainly be a busy one.
