“I have learned that I am no longer a candidate for the Italy national team coaching job,” Andrea Pirlo announced on social media. Prior to this, negotiations with Pep Guardiola had also fallen through.
Early Monday morning, Andrea Pirlo took to social media to release a lengthy statement announcing he is out of the race for the Italy head coach position—a role for which he had been the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) top choice to replace Gennaro Gattuso.
“Out of respect for the dialogue between institutions, the Federation, and everyone involved, I chose to remain silent until now; however, after learning yesterday that I was no longer a candidate for the Italy national team job, I feel it is my duty to clarify a few points,” wrote the (current) Dubai United coach.
“In recent days, I have watched with great bitterness the debate surrounding my name and the possibility of taking on the role of head coach for the Italian national team. Throughout my career—first as a player and now as a coach—I have always conducted my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries where I’ve worked and the contracts I’ve signed,” he continued.
“The professional collaboration at the heart of the recent controversy stems from my career path in the United Arab Emirates and is purely commercial and sporting in nature. Attributing political significance to this collaboration implies I hold convictions that I have never expressed and do not share,” he concluded.
Pirlo was, of course, referring to his contract as a global ambassador for the Russian betting company Fonbet, which has sparked significant discussion over the past few days. Even so, he made a point of thanking “[Paolo] Maldini and Leonardo for the esteem and trust they showed” throughout the negotiations, praising the “competence, professionalism, and love they have always dedicated to Italian football.”
“I regret that a decision based on sporting grounds was quickly turned into a public confrontation that ended up attributing meanings and intentions to me that are not mine. My love for Italy does not depend on a position. It is part of my history and my identity, and it will remain with me always,” he concluded.
see also: Scaloni hits back at criticism of Argentina: “People who don’t know us”
