FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Andrea Pirlo will not be the new coach of the Italian national team. The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni Malagò, has decided to end negotiations with the former midfielder, following the strong controversy that erupted over his collaboration with a Russian betting company.
According to Italian media, Malagò has been clear in discussions with federation leaders that Pirlo cannot be appointed coach of Italy, not for sporting or technical reasons, but due to the inopportune moment and the pressure created in public opinion and politics. A FIGC lawyer was reviewing the documentation of Pirlo's contract with the Russian company, but in the meantime the negotiations have been definitively broken off.
The decision has created strong tensions within the federation. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who had supported Pirlo's candidacy and were working on the new national team project, are reportedly unhappy with the latest developments. However, Malagò has announced that the decision on the coach belongs to the federation president, in accordance with the regulations.
Meanwhile, Andrea Pirlo himself reacted publicly through a post on social media, where he expressed disappointment over the debate that took place around his name.
"I have followed with regret the debate that has arisen about the possibility of leading the national team. My collaboration has been solely of a commercial and sporting nature. To give it a political meaning is to attribute to it convictions that I have never expressed. My love for Italy does not depend on a position," Pirlo wrote.
He also announced that he had been informed that he was no longer a candidate for the coaching position and thanked Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for the trust shown in him.
With Pirlo now out of the running, the FIGC must find a solution quickly. Roberto Mancini remains Giovanni Malagò's preferred candidate, according to reports, while Antonio Conte is considered a second option. A final decision is expected to be made after meetings of the federation's leaders, as Italy remains without a coach.
Lini një Përgjigje