Andrea Pirlo is set to become the new head coach of the Italian national team after reaching a verbal agreement with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), bringing an end to the country’s search for a new manager following Pep Guardiola’s decision to reject the role.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Pirlo has agreed to lead the Azzurri until 2030, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
Italy had initially identified Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as its preferred candidate following the end of Luciano Spalletti’s tenure. However, Guardiola opted against taking charge of the four-time world champions, forcing the federation to explore other options.
The FIGC subsequently accelerated negotiations with Pirlo, with football legends Paolo Maldini and Leonardo reportedly playing key roles in pushing the appointment forward.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner has now accepted the challenge of rebuilding the national team as Italy aims to return to the summit of international football after a difficult period.
Pirlo is expected to be joined by former Italy midfielder Roberto Baronio as part of his backroom staff.
The appointment marks Pirlo’s return to the Italian national team setup, where he enjoyed one of the most decorated playing careers in the country’s history.
Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest midfielders, Pirlo made 116 appearances for Italy and was instrumental in the nation’s triumph at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Renowned for his vision, passing range and composure, he also enjoyed trophy-laden spells with AC Milan and Juventus, winning two UEFA Champions League titles, six Serie A crowns and numerous domestic honours.
As a coach, Pirlo guided Juventus to the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana during the 2020-21 season before taking charge of Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük and later Sampdoria.
The 47-year-old will now be tasked with restoring Italy’s fortunes on the international stage, with qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and future major tournaments expected to be at the heart of his project.
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