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Mancini Reinstalled as Italy Coach After Pirlo Deal Collapses

The FIGC halted Andrea Pirlo’s appointment over his commercial ties to a Russian betting firm, triggering senior resignations and a swift leadership reset as the federation seeks to rebuild the national team.

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Overview

  • Andrea Pirlo said on Monday that he was informed he was no longer a candidate for Italy and defended his partnership with Russian bookmaker Fonbet as strictly commercial and sporting.
  • FIGC president Giovanni Malagò ordered a legal review of Pirlo’s contracts and cited concerns about institutional compatibility with a national‑team representative before the federation moved to stop the hire.
  • Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resigned from their FIGC roles after Malagò vetoed Pirlo’s appointment, leaving the federation to reorganize its technical leadership.
  • Roberto Mancini agreed to return as head coach and Claudio Ranieri was reported to accept a technical‑director role as the FIGC pursues a stabilized project for the 2030 cycle.
  • The episode exposed political sensitivity over Russian commercial links given Italy’s post‑2022 stance on Russia and raises questions about governance and public trust as the Azzurra rebuilds after missing recent World Cups.