Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing significant political opposition due to his commercial ties as a global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet, with Italian parliamentarians and football federation figures expressing concerns.
Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and former Juventus manager, has reportedly been appointed as the new head coach of the Italian national football team on a four-year deal.
Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention for the national team's head coach position after his commercial ties to Russian betting company Fonbet drew significant criticism and opposition from Italian football officials and lawmakers.
Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini is set to return for a second spell as the national team coach, replacing Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to coach the Italy national team, a source familiar with the discussions said on Friday, confirming media reports.
Roberto Mancini has returned for a second spell as Italy coach, vowing to revive the Azzurri's fortunes after the nation missed the last three World Cups and failed to win a major trophy since Euro 2020 under his previous leadership.
Italy's technical director Paolo Maldini revealed that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) first approached Carlo Ancelotti for the national team coaching job before engaging with Pep Guardiola, as they seek to rebuild the Azzurri after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Playmaker Andrea Pirlo is joining New York City FC from Italian champions Juventus later this month, the clubs said on Monday.
'For more than two decades, Pirlo, with the velvety touch, penetrative eye, and parabola-pass perfection, roamed the middle of the park like a creative colossus.'
A round-up of Saturday's action in LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga.
Andrea Pirlo will spend the rest of his career at AC Milan and will not join former boss Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, the Serie A club's owner Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Andrea Pirlo says he has no hard feelings towards Italy coach Antonio Conte after the veteran playmaker was overlooked for next month's European Championship in France.
Luis Suarez has agreed a deal with the club to end his contract and settled on personal terms with Atletico Madrid,
Maurizio Sarri says he found Cristiano Ronaldo difficult to manage during his time in charge of Juventus, as he had to consider the 'personal interests' of the Portugal striker.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he remains focused on winning trophies with the Italian champions, amid rumours linking the Portugal star with a return to former club Real Madrid following Juve's exit from the Champions League.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said Cristiano Ronaldo has told him that he will stay at the club this season, something the new boss believes guarantees goals for the Serie A giants.
Portugal football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo might have some competition in the run for the Ballon d'Or award this year but the forward has no competition when it comes to having the best hair in the game as he won the Salon d'Or for the best hair in the game.
Andrea Pirlo kept Juventus on course for a home Europa League final after his superb free kick settled their battle with Italian rivals Fiorentina to send the Serie A leaders into the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid maintained their perfect records in La Liga while Premier League club Arsenal dropped points but returned to the top of the table.
Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo's role as a deep-lying playmaker is an alien concept in Brazil, where any midfielder who sits just in front of the defence is expected to perform a purely destructive role.
Images from football matches played across Europe over the weekend.
Italy and England have faced each other 27 times, the Azzurri winning 11 to Three Lions' eight, with eight draws.
Antonio Cassano's first-half header and a spectacular Mario Balotelli volley in the final minute sent Italy through to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as Group C runners-up after a 2-0 victory over Ireland on Monday.
Bayern Munich tore Juventus apart on a rare off night for Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon but had to settle for a 2-0 win after missing a hatful of chances in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo could be forgiven for having the 2005 Champions League final on his mind when the Italian side take a 3-0 advantage into their last-16 second-leg clash against Celtic on Wednesday.
Udinese missed out on the Champions League for the second season running on Tuesday, losing on penalties to Braga in the play-offs after a comical shoot-out miss to leave Italy with only two clubs in Europe's top competition.
The midfielder played a central role for Spain in Sunday's 4-0 win over Italy as they became the first country to retain the title.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is winning his battle to be fit for Thursday's Euro 2012 semi-final against Italy where the relentless midfielder will have to nullify the mercurial Andrea Pirlo if Germany are to end their hoodoo.
Italy needed penalties to eliminate England and reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012 on Sunday after the match finished goalless at the end of extra time but any other outcome would have been a travesty.
Juventus extended their lead at the top of Serie A with an embarrassingly easy win over Atalanta, who trailed by three goals and were reduced to 10 men after barely more than half an hour on Sunday.
Juventus scored three goals in the opening 19 minutes to destroy AS Roma 4-1 and move three points clear in Serie A on Saturday.
Champions Juventus enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Parma with banned coach Antonio Conte watching in the stands and Fiorentina came from behind to grab a last-minute win in the first matches of the Serie A season on Saturday.
Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic struck his third goal of Euro 2012 to earn a 1-1 draw against Italy who let their opponents off the hook after taking the lead in the Group C match on Thursday.
Mario Mandzukic scored his third goal of Euro 2012 as Croatia came from behind to draw 1-1 with Italy and strengthen their position in a tough Group C on Thursday.
Marco Borriello bagged his first goal for Juventus as they maintained their three-point lead at the top of Serie A on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Cesena.
Juventus bounded to the top of Serie A by securing a battling 2-0 victory at Palermo after former striker Amauri condemned AC Milan to a 2-1 defeat at home to Fiorentina on Saturday.
Juventus missed the chance to return to the top of Serie A when they were held to a 0-0 draw at mid-table Parma on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo made an immediate impact on his return from a COVID-19 infection on Sunday, scoring three minutes after coming on as a substitute before converting a penalty to lead Juventus to a 4-1 Serie A win at Spezia.
Serie A champions Juventus continued their rebuilding when they signed forward Simone Zaza from Sassuolo for 18 million euros ($19.72 million), the Turin club said on their website (www.juventus.com) on Tuesday.
