Pirlo was all but confirmed as the next manager of the Italy men’s national team, but the move has since fallen through following backlash over his role as a global ambassador for Fonbet, a Russian betting company.

His work with Fonbet has led to appearances alongside pro-Kremling figures at events featuring Russian veterans of the ongoing Ukraine war.

Maldini is highly unlikely to remain in his post with the FIGC, but if he were to do so, he would demand absolute control over whom he gets to pick as Pirlo’s alternative, as clarified by Il Messaggero – via Pacini. Both Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte remain in the pitcure to become the next manager but a host of other names have also been linked with the role.

A comedy of errors

Suffice to say, both the FIGC and the Azzurri faithful would have preferred a more seamless start to proceedings at the break of this new dawn in Italian football.

The FIGC should have been able to anticipate the backlash appointing Pirlo would bring, given information regarding his role with Fonbet wasn’t exactly esoteric.

This puts them in a terrible position, as they have already sustained massive reputation harm, and their technical director is also set to walk out; even if he didn’t, he would end up wielding more power than they may be ready to give.