Pirlo backlash in Italy sparks response from Zhurova

Andrea Pirlo was reportedly in line to become Italy head coach before opposition in the country over his links to Russia brought that plan to a halt, prompting a forceful response from Russian public figures including Svetlana Zhurova.

Italy turn to Mancini after change of plan

Italy’s long wait for a permanent head coach is now nearing its end. After Gennaro Gattuso left the role in early April, only days after defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final, the position remained vacant for almost four months.

The job has now gone to Roberto Mancini, the last coach to lead Italy to major success. But according to the source material, that was not the original plan.

Paolo Maldini, recently appointed technical director of the national team, had wanted Pirlo to take charge. That proposal triggered major protests in Italy, not because of doubts over Pirlo’s coaching record, but because of his connections to Russia. The move did not go ahead and Maldini has since resigned.

Russian figures rally behind Pirlo

Pirlo’s rejection quickly drew support from Russia. Russian ambassador to Italy Aleksei Paramonov publicly defended the former Juventus coach, criticising what he described as the treatment of a figure who had contributed to Italian sport and the country’s image abroad.

Zhurova has now added her voice. The Olympic speed skating champion, who has regularly commented on Russia’s place in international sport, argued that the president of the Italian federation had been pushed into rejecting Pirlo’s candidacy because it would not have been acceptable to the European Union and other opponents of Russia.

She also suggested that Ukraine’s likely reaction was a factor in the decision. In her view, appointing Pirlo would have created an unnecessary controversy for the Italy national team, especially when other candidates without Russian links were available.

Mancini returns as Italy prepare for Nations League

The debate around Pirlo has unfolded just as Italy prepare for a new cycle under Mancini. His second spell in charge will begin in Nations League Group 1 of League A, where the European champions of 2021 are set to face France, Belgium and Turkey.

The wider international picture has also shifted in recent weeks. Turkey will continue under Vincenzo Montella, while Belgium have turned to Mark van Bommel and France are now led by Zinedine Zidane.

Zhurova’s intervention adds another political layer to what was already a contentious coaching search. In football terms, however, Italy have moved on: Mancini is back, Pirlo is out of the frame, and the federation must now try to steady the situation after a turbulent appointment process.