Andrea Pirlo's €1.5m Italy deal follows Ancelotti, Guardiola refusals

Andrea Pirlo is set to be announced as the new head coach of Italy on Monday or Tuesday, having agreed a four‑year contract worth €1.5 million per year. The appointment follows a rapid selection process after other high‑profile candidates declined recently.

Multiple sources confirmed that Pirlo became the next candidate after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the proposal. Ancelotti had only recently signed a new deal with Brazil, and Guardiola is eager for more time with his family after ten years at Manchester City.

Pirlo accepted immediately when contacted by technical director Paolo Maldini and special advisor Leonardo, all of whom know each other from their time at Milan. The Italian is still under contract with United FC in the United Arab Emirates and must terminate that agreement by mutual consent.

The agreement runs to the end of the 2030 World Cup, with a salary of €1.5 million per year. An announcement is not expected until Monday or Tuesday, because the FIGC will hold its meeting on Tuesday.

That decision was confirmed by multiple sources, and technically the FIGC no longer decides the appointment as it created the role of technical director for Maldini. The timing should allow a presentation shortly after the FIGC meeting.

When the contract is signed, Italy will have a former star guiding the Azzurri into the next World Cup cycle, while Pirlo will leave his United FC role to focus on the national team job. The move offers Italy a coach familiar with Italian football culture and gives Pirlo a high‑profile platform to shape the side’s future.