Italy are set to appoint Andrea Pirlo as their new coach. Pirlo, according to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, has accepted the verbal proposal from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and will be confirmed as Gennaro Gattusos successor in the coming days.The FIGC had approached Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti and former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, but both turned the job down.Instead, Pirlo will now get the chance to lead his country, having won the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006. Italy have not gone beyond the group stage of a World Cup since that triumph, and have failed to qualify for the last three tournaments. Pirlo a questionable pick for ItalyPirlos appointment may raise eyebrows given his uninspiring record in coaching to this point.The legendary former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder is currently in charge of UAE side Dubai United.Pirlo won the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia during a spell with Juve that lasted under a year. He also coached Sampdoria from June 2023 to August 2024, with Pirlo being relieved of his duties after a poor start to the 2024-25 season after failing to earn promotion from Serie B in the previous campaign.As such, Pirlos appointment represents a gamble for Italy and, after Pirlos former team-mate Gattuso failed to get the Azzurri to the World Cup, there is likely to be scepticism that fortunes will improve under the 47-year-old.Italy return to competitive action for the first time since losing on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup qualifying play-off final when they face Belgium in theUEFA Nations Leagueon September 25. Topics Italy National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Guardiola turns down Italy opportunity to focus on family Nicholas McGee 24th July, 2026 Albertini: Guardiola cant fix Italy while academies ignore young players Jon Fisher 24th July, 2026 Italy: Exceptions being made to try to lure Guardiola to Azzurri job Nicholas McGee 22nd July, 2026 Guardiola holds talks with Italy and considers swift return to football management Jon Fisher 20th July, 2026 International round-up: Denmark game abandoned ater Eriksen collapse as Italy and Norway also in action Mitch Fretton 7th June, 2026 The best XI of players missing the 2026 World Cup Mitch Fretton 4th June, 2026
