The hunt for a new Azzurri manager has intensified following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down after Italy failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup.
In the decisive play‑off, Italy lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina, missing out on the tournament for the third consecutive time.
Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup champion, wrote on social media on Monday that he had learned the previous evening he was no longer being considered for the job due to controversy around his commercial ties to a Russian bookmaker.
Pirlo said he felt compelled to clarify several issues, saying he had watched the public debate about his candidacy "with great bitterness."
"Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my work in full respect of the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed," Pirlo wrote.
"The professional collaboration that has become the subject of recent controversy began as part of my activity in the United Arab Emirates and is solely commercial and sporting in nature. Attributing political significance to this collaboration means attributing to me views I have never expressed and with which I do not identify," he added.
He thanked those who had supported him and said he regretted that a decision "supposedly of a sporting nature" had been drawn into a public debate that assigned him "meanings and intentions that have nothing to do with me."
"My love for Italy does not depend on the position I hold. It is part of my history, my identity, and will always accompany me," he said.
Boniek praises Pirlo: 'Symbol of Italian football'
On Sunday, in an interview with the newspaper La Repubblica, former Polish Football Association head and UEFA vice president Zbigniew Boniek praised Pirlo’s qualifications, calling him the right person to lead the national team and "a symbol of Italian football."
Boniek, the former Juventus and Roma star, also addressed the controversy surrounding Pirlo’s contract.
"He must speak clearly and resolve this matter as quickly as possible," Boniek said. "He should express regret and terminate this contract. It’s best to do this in a clear, written statement."
He added: "Former outstanding athletes receive all kinds of offers, and sometimes they make poor decisions. The most important thing is to be able to admit it."
According to Boniek, former Italy coach Roberto Mancini, who led the Azzurri to the European championship title in 2021, "admitted he made a mistake by accepting a job offer from Saudi Arabia."
Referring to Russia, Boniek said "the most important thing is that FIFA and UEFA remain firm in their stance."
Asked about the growing turmoil after Pirlo's withdrawal, Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said "this news speaks for itself."
He added: "Now we have to correct this terrible impression."
Before Pirlo’s withdrawal, Antonio Conte and Mancini had also been mentioned as possible candidates, along with—in a more ambitious scenario—Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard declined.
(pu)
Source: PAP