It appears that Andrea Pirlo‘s prospects of becoming the next manager of Italy’s national football team have been thrown into doubt over his commercial relationship with a Russian sportsbook operator.

Over the weekend, La Gazzetta dello Sport first reported that Giovanni Malagò, the newly elected President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), had “put the brakes on” Pirlo’s appointment as head coach of the Azzurri.

Further details published by Corriere della Sera state that the appointment had been championed by FIGC Technical Director Paolo Maldini and former sporting director Leonardo after Pep Guardiola rejected the opportunity to manage Italy.

According to the newspaper, Malagò suspended the formal appointment process after seeking legal clarification regarding Pirlo’s ambassadorial contract with Russian sportsbook operator Fonbet.

Italian reports have not alleged any direct connection between Fonbet and the Kremlin or Russian state officials.

Fonbet is recognised as one of Russia’s oldest sportsbook operators, having been established in 1995 by former chess player Anatoly Machulsky.

The company operates more than 1,000 retail betting outlets and was among the first operators authorised by Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, to launch an online sportsbook platform in 2016.

Pirlo, a member of Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, has served as a global ambassador for Fonbet since October 2025. His relationship with the company is believed to stem from his association with billionaire Sergey Lomakin, a significant shareholder in Fonbet and an investor in Dubai United FC, the club Pirlo has managed since July 2025.

According to Corriere della Sera, Pirlo informed the FIGC that his agreement with Fonbet was a personal commercial partnership and not connected to his role at Dubai United FC. The newspaper reports that the federal prosecutor spent the weekend examining the contract before concluding that it was separate from his coaching employment.

Nevertheless, Malagò is reported to have cancelled a scheduled meeting with Pirlo and his representatives that was expected to complete the appointment process.

Azzuri in the abyss

The episode represents the first major political challenge of Malagò’s presidency. 

Since taking office in June, he has backed proposals for a 1% betting rights levy on football wagering to finance the modernisation of Italian football, grassroots investment and stadium redevelopment.

The proposal remains central to discussions ahead of September’s budget negotiations, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is expected to finalise its fiscal agenda before the 2027 general election. 

Against that backdrop, Malagò is likely to be cautious over any issue that could complicate football’s relationship with the gambling sector or create unnecessary political controversy.

Corriere della Sera further reports that Maldini and Leonardo threatened to resign if Pirlo’s appointment was blocked, viewing the intervention as an infringement on their sporting autonomy. 

The report adds that both men believe details of Pirlo’s Fonbet relationship were strategically leaked because of wider concerns within Italian football over his limited managerial experience.

Pirlo’s candidacy has long divided opinion. While regarded as one of Italy’s greatest-ever midfielders, his coaching career has produced mixed results following brief spells at Juventus and Sampdoria, neither of which lasted beyond a single season.

Pirlo’s relationship with Fonbet and Lomakin has been known within Italian football circles since 2022, when he attended a football event in Moscow hosted by the Russian businessman.

The FIGC has already faced criticism for its search process after Pep Guardiola quickly distanced himself from speculation linking him with the Italy job.

Pirlo’s association with Fonbet has become politically sensitive given Italy’s continued support for international sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. In her latest address to Parliament, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, including a further €4bn (£3.4bn) in defence spending.

Should Pirlo’s appointment collapse, Malagò will be forced back to the drawing board as Italy searches for a coach capable of restoring the Azzurri’s standing while simultaneously rebuilding confidence in the FIGC’s leadership and broader reform agenda.