Italy are set to appoint Andrea Pirlo as their new coach.
Pirlo, according to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, has accepted the verbal proposal from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and will be confirmed as Gennaro Gattuso’s successor in the coming days.
The FIGC had approached Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti and former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, but both turned the job down.
Instead, Pirlo will now get the chance to lead his country, having won the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006. Italy have not gone beyond the group stage of a World Cup since that triumph, and have failed to qualify for the last three tournaments.
Pirlo a questionable pick for Italy
Pirlo’s appointment may raise eyebrows given his uninspiring record in coaching to this point.
The legendary former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder is currently in charge of UAE side Dubai United.
Pirlo won the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia during a spell with Juve that lasted under a year. He also coached Sampdoria from June 2023 to August 2024, with Pirlo being relieved of his duties after a poor start to the 2024-25 season after failing to earn promotion from Serie B in the previous campaign.
As such, Pirlo’s appointment represents a gamble for Italy and, after Pirlo’s former team-mate Gattuso failed to get the Azzurri to the World Cup, there is likely to be scepticism that fortunes will improve under the 47-year-old.
Italy return to competitive action for the first time since losing on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup qualifying play-off final when they face Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on September 25.
