News, goals, and analysis – only on the official A BOLA app. Andrea Pirlo is the chosen name to take over as Italy’s national team coach, after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti also declined the offer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The decision came from the new technical management, composed of Maldini and Leonardo, who see the former Italian international as the ideal profile for the necessary renewal of Italian football. The choice of Pirlo follows statements made by Maldini and Leonardo at the Lega Serie A Assembly last Thursday, where they made it clear that they were looking for either ‘the best of all,’ with whom they share a playing philosophy, or someone who ‘thinks like us, with whom there is harmony and who shares our ideas.’ In this context, Pirlo was identified from the outset as the right bet, in contrast to more experienced coaches like Conte or Mancini, who were considered less aligned with the vision of the new management. Despite a still modest coaching career, Maldini bets on Pirlo’s ‘extraordinary game vision.’ To address any potential gaps in managing a demanding locker room like that of the national team, the management structure, with the approval of President Malagò, assures that it will provide full support and will not hesitate to intervene if the authority of the new coach is called into question. The former midfielder of Milan and Juventus has already accepted the offer and expressed enthusiasm for the project. The formalization of the agreement could occur soon, with the Federal Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday presenting an opportunity for the official announcement, although its involvement is merely consultative, according to the statutes. Pirlo’s contract is expected to extend until the 2030 World Cup, which will take place in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, reflecting Maldini’s intention to implement a long-term project aimed at a profound restructuring of Italian football over the next eight to ten years. In terms of salary, it is estimated that Pirlo’s earnings will be around 1.5 million euros per season, a figure lower than the 2 million that Mancini would have been willing to accept. Unless any unforeseen events occur, Andrea Pirlo will soon be the new coach of Italy, leading a project that aims to be revolutionary from its conception. The main objective is participation in the next World Cup, the last time being in 2014.
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