Pirlo set for Italy job after Guardiola rejection
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reached an agreement with former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo to become the national team's coach on a four-year deal, according to the latest reports in the Italian media.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfield players in history, Pirlo won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy and enjoyed a distinguished club career with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
The 47-year-old is currently in charge of Dubai United, which competes in the UAE First Division League.
Pirlo managed Juventus during the 2020-2021 season, guiding the Turin club to the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup titles.
The reported agreement came hours after former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola rejected an approach to take charge of Italy, sources have revealed.
The 55-year-old Spaniard held talks over becoming Italy's head coach, with FIGC president Giovanni Malago suggesting financial flexibility could be shown for a candidate of his stature.
Italy has been searching for a new coach since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April after the four-time world champion failed to qualify for a third successive FIFA World Cup finals.
FIGC also sounded out Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Guardiola left City at the end of last season after a glittering decade in charge in which he won six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four in succession, as well as three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups and the UEFA Champions League.
Before arriving at City in 2016, Guardiola enjoyed great success at Barcelona, where he won two UEFA Champions League titles and three LaLiga crowns, before adding three Bundesliga titles during his spell at Bayern Munich.
Italian football is facing one of its deepest crises in decades, and the appointment of a new national team coach is seen as the first step in a wider effort to rebuild a youth development and talent pathway system that has deteriorated significantly in a country where football remains a national obsession.
