Pirlo emerges as hot favourite for Italy job chosen by Maldini

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13 July 2026

Andrea Pirlo is the new favourite to take over as

Italy

coach,

claims La Gazzetta dello Sport

, as Paolo Maldini and Leonardo hope to reunite with a former Milan teammate.

The Nazionale can begin taking shape now that the decision has finally been made to appoint a technical director, a role that until now did not exist within the Azzurri set-up.

Maldini is in charge now along with his consultant Leonardo

of choosing who will sit on the bench when

begin their Nations League campaign in September.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 8: Former New York City FC player

Andrea Pirlo

waves to fans prior to the MLS match against Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on March 8, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)

Until now, Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini had been the main contenders for a return to the job,

along with the audacious idea of approaching Pep Guardiola.

However, the Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Pirlo is emerging as a genuine candidate.

The 47-year-old was of course part of the squad that won the 2006 World Cup, and he is currently a coach in Dubai with United FC.

Official:

is the new head coach of the Dubai-based United FC of the UAE first division.

His management experience is limited to Juventus in 2020-21, where he won the Coppa Italia, then in the Turkish Super Lig with Karagumruk, and a brief spell at Sampdoria that ended in August 2024.

Pirlo knows both Maldini and Leonardo well from their time together at the successful Milan side, where the midfielder played from 2001 to 2011.

It is reported that Maldini had wanted to hire him as the coach of Milan in 2023.

Unlike the other alternatives on the list, Pirlo’s wage demands would not break the bank of the FIGC.

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