Andrea Pirlo emerges as leading candidate for Italy job after Guardiola and Ancelotti snub approaches

Andrea Pirlo has become the frontrunner to take charge of the Italy national team after the Italian federation turned to the former midfield great following unsuccessful moves for Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Azzurri have been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned after failing to guide Italy to this year’s World Cup, their third successive absence from the tournament.

Romano reports that the Italian Football Federation made direct contact with Pirlo on Friday to discuss him becoming Italy head coach on a four-year deal. He adds that the 46-year-old is now viewed as the leading contender for the role after approaches to Manchester City manager Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Ancelotti were rejected.

No agreement has yet been announced and the Italian federation has not commented publicly, but the timing of the approach reflects a desire to have a new manager in place before the start of the next UEFA Nations League campaign.

Nations League fixtures on the horizon

Italy have been drawn in Group A1 of the Nations League alongside France, Belgium and Turkey, with a demanding schedule beginning in the autumn international window.

The Azzurri are due to open their campaign in September with matches against Belgium and then Turkey. In October, they are scheduled to face France followed by a second meeting with Turkey.

Their group-stage programme is set to conclude in November, when they will take on France and Belgium in successive fixtures. The Italian federation is keen to have stability in the dugout in time for this run of games.

Pirlo’s current role and coaching journey

Pirlo is currently head coach of United FC in the United Arab Emirates, a post he took after a varied start to his managerial career.

Following his retirement as a player, Pirlo began coaching with Juventus, first taking charge of the club’s second team before being promoted to manage the first team.

After his spell in Turin, he moved to Turkey to coach Fatih Karagumruk, gaining further experience in European club football.

He then returned to Italy for the 2023-24 season to take over at Sampdoria. Pirlo left the Genoa-based club at the end of that campaign and opted to take a break from management for the following season, before resuming his career abroad.

During his time at Juventus, Pirlo won two major trophies as a coach: the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.

Glittering international and club playing career

As a player, Pirlo enjoyed a distinguished international career, highlighted by winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy.

At club level, he represented all three of Italy’s traditional giants – Inter, Milan and Juventus – becoming one of the most influential midfielders of his generation during his time in Serie A.

Pirlo ended his playing days in Major League Soccer with New York City FC in the United States before hanging up his boots and moving into management.

If appointed, he would inherit an Italy side seeking to rebuild its reputation on the international stage after repeated World Cup disappointments, while preparing to face some of Europe’s strongest national teams in the Nations League.