Italy Appoints Pirlo as Coach After Guardiola and Ancelotti Decline

Andrea Pirlo has been confirmed as Italy's new national team coach after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti declined the position. Pirlo will lead Italy through the 2030 World Cup as the federation attempts to end a three-tournament qualification drought.

Quick Facts

Pirlo appointed as Italy national team coach
Guardiola declined offer
Ancelotti declined offer
FIGC conducted managerial search
Italy missed three consecutive World Cups

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has appointed Andrea Pirlo as head coach of the national team following rejections from Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Pirlo, who won the World Cup as a player in 2006, will sign a four-year contract through the 2030 World Cup, with an annual salary of approximately €1.5 million.

The appointment comes after a comprehensive search led by newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo. Both Guardiola and Ancelotti were approached as primary targets. Guardiola declined the offer on July 23-24, stating he intended to take time away from football to focus on his family after ten years leading Manchester City. Ancelotti also declined, citing his existing contract with Brazil through the 2030 World Cup, which he signed in May before the federation even began its formal search.

Pirlo, 46, previously coached Juventus, Sampdoria, Fatih Karagümrük, and most recently Dubai United, which he led to promotion in the UAE first division. He will resign from Dubai United to assume the Italy position. His appointment marks only the second time a non-Italian has led the national team in the modern era, following Argentinian Helenio Herrera in 1966-1967.

Italy enters the appointment in crisis, having failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups—missing the 2018, 2022, and 2026 tournaments. The federation underwent major restructuring after the April 2026 playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina under Gennaro Gattuso. Maldini and Leonardo have outlined an eight to ten-year project to rebuild Italian football from youth academies through the senior national team. Pirlo's first match will be a UEFA Nations League fixture against Belgium on September 25, 2026.

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#Italy football #2030 World Cup #football manager #manager search #Italy national football team #football coaching #Italy national team #Brazil #Gennaro Gattuso #World Cup qualifying

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Italy has failed to qualify for three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026), creating institutional pressure to reverse the decline. Pirlo's appointment—at €1.5 million annually through 2030—represents a restructuring that includes new technical leadership (Maldini and Leonardo) and a declared eight-to-ten-year youth-development program. The federation's success will be measured by qualification for the 2030 World Cup and performance in the UEFA Nations League, beginning with Belgium on September 25, 2026. This reshaping affects funding priorities, squad selection protocols, and Italy's standing in European and world football rankings.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2006

Wire

Italy won the World Cup for a fourth time

Jan 1, 2014

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Italy last participated in FIFA World Cup

Jul 24, 2026

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Ancelotti reaffirms commitment to Brazil and declines Italy offer

Jul 25, 2026

Wire

Andrea Pirlo emerges as leading candidate for Italy coaching position

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Mancini Reappointed Italy Coach After Pirlo's Russian Betting Tie Derails Appointment
Updated Jul 28

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