Andrea Pirlo’s role with the Azzurri is now up in the air with alternative options ready

Andrea Pirlo looked set to be named the next manager of the Azzurri. Pirlo had agreed on a contract until 2028 with an option until 2030, on a deal to see him earn 1.5 million per year. Paolo Maldini strongly pushed to sign Pirlo despite the issues that FIGC president Giovanni Malago had with the deal.

Malago doubts have only been made worse, by the recent Fonbet scandal Pirlo has found himself in. Gazzetta Dello Sport is now reporting that Malago has asked to see the contract Pirlo had with Fonbet. If, Pirlo deal with Fonbet is tied to him managing United FC in the UAE the deal should go ahead.

Giovanni Malago, President of the Italian Football Federation , attends a meeting at the Serie A League headquarters in Milan, Italy, on July 23,…

But, this is no guarantee as Pirlo could be tied to the company as a personal ambassador. This would stop Pirlo from taking the Azzurri management job. Giovanni Malago and Paolo Maldini could be forced to look for alternatives because of this with multiple ready.

Gazzetta Dello Sport is also reporting that Roberto Mancini is now back in contention for the role. Mancini was the main competeion for Pirlo, as Malago pushed to hire him over Pirlo. However, the opposite happened with Maldini winning out and hiring Pirlo.

Roberto Mancini, head coach of Al Sadd SC, reacts during the Amir Cup quarter-final match between Al Sadd SC and Al-Shamal SC at Ahmad bin Ali…

Mancini is known to want the job, leaving Al Sadd in Qatar and turning down multiple offers for the role. But, he isn’t the only name being considered currently as Antonio Conte could come back into the fashion. Conte is a free agent after leaving Napoli and could decide to take the Azzurri job.

But, hiring Conte could be a finical issue for the FIGC. Conte’s demands are less than Pep Guardiola’s the FIGC could struggle to cover them unlikely Conte’s. This is because the Serie A clubs would have pitched in to help meet Guardiola’s demands, something they might not do with Conte, and could eventually stop a deal.