Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention to become Italy's next head coach following backlash over his ambassador role with Russian betting company Fonbet. The 47-year-old World Cup winner emerged as leading candidate after Pep Guardiola declined the position.

FIGC officials and politicians objected to Pirlo's commercial ties given the ongoing war in Ukraine. Pirlo defended the arrangement in an Instagram post, stating the collaboration was exclusively commercial and sporting, denying any political meaning.

The FIGC, now led by technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo, had pursued Guardiola for an ambitious "Azzurro project" to rebuild Italian football after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Guardiola rejected the offer for personal reasons.

Pirlo was prepared to leave his current role managing UAE Pro League club United FC. Carlo Ancelotti was also contacted but remains contracted to Brazil. Italy's search for Gattuso's successor continues.