Following Pep Guardiola's decision to turn down the Italy head coach position due to personal reasons, Andrea Pirlo is poised to take over the role. The Italian Football Federation had attempted to recruit Guardiola, offering him a central position in their 'Azzurro project' aimed at rebuilding Italian football. However, Guardiola opted out, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Pirlo, currently with Dubai-based United FC, is expected to finalize his agreement with the Italian team after terminating his contract. This development comes after Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup, prompting a significant overhaul in the country's football management, including the appointment of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to key positions. Guardiola, now a free agent after a decade with Manchester City, had expressed interest in international management but chose not to pursue the Italy position. His decision aligns with previous statements about needing a break from the high-pressure environment of club football to focus on personal life.