With Andrea Pirlo more and more unlikely to be provided the Italy job attributable to his Russian betting affiliation, the search resumes with Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Stefano Pioli and Raffaele Palladino amongst candidates.
The Azzurri had already seen Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola flip down the proposal, so technical director Paolo Maldini and particular advisor Leonardo turned to Pirlo.
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Nonetheless, over his world model ambassador function for a Russian betting firm has sparked pressure and
Italy on the lookout for Plan D
They’re now compelled to look even additional down the listing to Plan D, which could imply the return to the bench of both Conte or Mancini.
Of the 2, Mancini can be extra keen and positively cheaper, however as former Azzurri bosses, they received’t be too happy to be thought of behind Pirlo within the pecking order.
NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 12: Paolo Maldini Technical director and Stefano Pioli AC Milan look on coach earlier than the Serie A match between and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on July 12, 2020 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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appears at a number of the different candidates, particularly ones who’re at present free brokers.
Pioli already labored carefully with Maldini at Milan, the place they received the Scudetto, however was fired by just some weeks into final season.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – APRIL 27: Coach of Atalanta Raffaele Palladino appears on in the course of the Serie A match between and at Stadio Sant’Elia on April 27, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photograph by Enrico Locci/Getty Pictures)
Palladino is extra within the Pirlo mould, a younger coach targeted on possession soccer, following within the footsteps of his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini.
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He’s 42 years outdated and had some spectacular campaigns with Monza, Fiorentina and Atalanta, who he dragged out of hazard right into a sixth-place end in Serie A when taking on in November 2025.
Palladino was unable to agree on a method going ahead, so left Atalanta by mutual consent this summer time.