Italy are moving quickly to make Andrea Pirlo their next coach, with a four-year deal worth €1.5m per season now lined up. An official announcement is expected on Monday or Tuesday. The federation turned first to Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, but both said no, which pushed the search toward a cheaper and faster option.
Pirlo's rapid rise to the job
The appointment would be a sharp turn in the rebuild after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April after that failure, and the pressure on the federation has been obvious since then. Pirlo fits the profile they now seem to want, a name they know well and a deal they can move on without stretching the budget.
The salary gap is hard to miss. Pirlo's package is €1.5m per season, while Guardiola is described in the reports as a €20m-per-season alternative. That leaves Italy choosing the lower-cost route after the bigger names were unavailable, and it is hard to argue that speed and affordability were not central to the decision.
Maldini's influence and the Milan connection
Paolo Maldini has been central to the way this story has developed. He said he called Pirlo to congratulate him on being appointed head coach of the U23, then joked, "You are not going to Turin to coach the first team, are you?" Pirlo replied, "How did you know?" Maldini added that he was one of the first people to find out, and said, "What started as a joke turned out to be the truth."
Pirlo also said of the contact: "It's true. We had talked about it, but it was just a chat between friends." That sounds about right for a move shaped by old ties as much as by formal process.
The Milan link is obvious. Pirlo and Maldini shared a long run at AC Milan, and that familiarity appears to have helped Italy move on from the initial rejections without wasting time. The federation wanted a rebuild, and it looks like they have chosen the version that is quickest to get started.
FAQ
Will Andrea Pirlo become Italy coach this week?
Pirlo is set to sign a four-year contract and an official announcement is expected on Monday or Tuesday. Reports say the deal is worth €1.5m per season.
Why did Italy move for Andrea Pirlo after Ancelotti and Guardiola?
Italy moved quickly after missing out on Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola. The appeal is the lower wage demand, the speed of the move and Pirlo's familiarity with Paolo Maldini and Leonardo.
How much will Andrea Pirlo earn as Italy coach?
The deal is worth €1.5m per season. That is far below the €20m-per-season benchmark attached in reports to Pep Guardiola.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
