Football Today

·27 July 2026

Football Today

·27 July 2026

Andrea Pirlo was expected to be named Italy’s new manager after their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

But serious doubts have now emerged after checks into his commercial links with Russia sparked a political storm.

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paolo Maldini’s role inside the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is also under threat.

Pirlo had become the clear favourite to succeed Luciano Spalletti after an extensive search led by newly appointed technical director Maldini.

Working with adviser Leonardo, Maldini believed the former Juventus boss was the perfect man to lead a long-term rebuild of the Azzurri.

But what first looked like a routine appointment has turned far more complicated because of Pirlo’s links with Russian betting firm Fonbet.

He is a global ambassador for the company, and his relationship with United FC president Sergey Lomakin is also being examined closely.

The row has apparently moved well beyond football, leaving newly elected FIGC president Giovanni Malago with a major political problem.

The rising backlash has put Pirlo’s appointment in doubt, even though he has the support of the federation’s football department.

There is now a growing view that worries over Pirlo’s Russian links could be used to overturn Maldini’s recommendation and push through a more established name instead.

Malago has looked at other choices, including Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, but Maldini is said to have turned down both.

He sees Conte as a short-term option whose projects seldom run beyond two seasons, while questions still linger over Mancini after his controversial exit from the national team in 2023.

The issue has also created uncertainty around Maldini’s own future.

The former AC Milan director agreed to become technical director only after being promised that he would have major influence over Italy’s next manager choice.

If that power is weakened, he may think about walking away completely.

Former Milan executive Leonardo could now be asked to help calm tensions between Maldini and the federation if Pirlo’s candidacy eventually falls apart.