Italy nears appointing Andrea Pirlo as national coach

The Italian Football Federation is in advanced talks to appoint former national team star Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the Italian national team. Negotiations with the 47-year-old intensified on Friday, July 24, 2026, with Pirlo now considered the overwhelming favorite to succeed Gennaro Gattuso on a four-year contract.

According to reports, the federation approached Pirlo with a formal offer, and discussions have progressed positively. While an official announcement is pending, Pirlo has emerged as the preferred candidate following a search that reportedly included approaches to other high-profile managers. Both Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti were contacted about the position but declined, leading officials to focus on Pirlo.

The position became vacant in April when Gennaro Gattuso departed by mutual agreement. Gattuso's exit followed Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a significant disappointment for the four-time world champions. This failure extended a period of inconsistency for the Azzurri, who won the UEFA European Championship in 2021 but have since struggled to maintain that level.