"I witnessed with great bitterness the debate surrounding my name as manager. Throughout my career I have always carried out my work in full compliance with the laws of the countries in which I have worked and the contracts I have signed. The professional collaboration at the centre of the recent controversy is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature; attributing a political meaning to it means attributing to me convictions I have never expressed and that do not belong to me. I wish to thank Maldini and Leonardo for their esteem and trust. My love for Italy does not depend on a job offer." This is what Andrea Pirlo wrote on his social media about the Russia case.
The national team manager situation remains deadlocked: Maldini tied to Pirlo, Malagò's torments
Will there be, at least in theory, a name for the Azzurri manager on the table at next Tuesday's federal council meeting, even though the matter is not on the agenda? Little more than a month after Giovanni Malagò's election to lead the Football Federation, there is still deadlock over the choice of the coach tasked with reviving Italy's World Cup fortunes, and it is a fact that some of the constituent bodies are beginning to express concern over the passage of time. While political controversy and public opinion swirl around Andrea Pirlo's name (on the World Cup winner's social media, comments on his posts brandish the inevitable hashtag #PirloOut), the situation at Via Allegri is currently at a standstill.
Paolo Maldini, the sporting director designated by Malagò for shared decisions and to lead the technical rebuilding project, remains committed to the choice of his former AC Milan teammate. Together with advisor Leonardo, he made the trip to Barcelona for a last-ditch attempt with Guardiola; he has admitted to having also contacted Ancelotti (a choice not welcomed by the Brazilian Football Federation, which reportedly lodged an informal protest with FIFA); but after the top candidates said no, he does not appear concerned that the current Dubai United manager may represent a lesser-calibre solution. However, two major stumbling blocks remain on the path: while Pirlo may be able to free himself from his contract with the Dubai club (Russian ownership), his role as global ambassador for a Moscow-based betting agency — though reportedly on its way to being resolved — and the ensuing controversy risk causing the anointed winner to fall at the final hurdle. There is also the risk of a conflict of interest (or of propriety): Pirlo's son is affiliated with a players' agency, as is Maldini's, a situation previously faced by another national team manager, Marcello Lippi.
In light of all this, Malagò reflects. And while Pirlo plays a behind-closed-doors friendly with his United on the Salzburg pitch (irony of fate: in the final 1-1, Tabakovic scores from the penalty spot – the same player who scored for Bosnia against Italy in the fateful Zenica), the circle has yet to close. A collapse of the Pirlo project risks triggering earthquakes over Maldini's position too: having been "rejected," he could consider a sensational step back (causing an institutional crisis that the federation president obviously wants to avoid) if the FIGC were to revisit the original idea (Malagò's) of Roberto Mancini's return; or in the event of a Conte second stint, which would mean full powers for the manager. While some still dream of Ranieri and Baldini gains support among fans, the former Napoli coach remains the most favoured choice among Serie A, the great elector of Malagò. With him, the national team would operate on a different timescale from the 8-10 years envisaged for the whole of Italian football by the Maldini-Leonardo tandem, presented to the Serie A clubs. In short, a true Mexican standoff. Meanwhile, tomorrow Malagò will have a meeting (long scheduled) with the presidents of the federation's constituent bodies on the eve of the federal council. And perhaps it will become clear how many steps forward – or backward – have been taken.
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