Football NewsFootball ItaliaUnverified source· 27 Jul 2026
Rivera slams Pirlo as unfit for Italy job
Italy legend Gianni Rivera says Andrea Pirlo cannot lead the Nazionale due to Russian gambling ties.
G. Rivera
player
Who
Gianni Rivera
What
Criticized Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini
Why
Pirlo's role as Fonbet ambassador
Source
Repubblica newspaper
What happened. Gianni Rivera told Repubblica that Andrea Pirlo is not the right person to coach Italy due to his ambassadorship with Russian gambling site Fonbet, and expressed shock that anyone considered him.
- Rivera believes Pirlo's Russia ties risk Italian football's reputation.
- Pirlo was third choice after Ancelotti and Guardiola turned down the job.
- Maldini reportedly pushed for Pirlo but was blocked by FIGC President Malagò.
“Pirlo is not the right person. He cannot be the right person to lead the Nazionale, and I’m shocked anyone thought he could be.”
— Gianni Rivera
Pirlo's appointment was scuppered by the Fonbet controversy; Rivera hopes Maldini was unaware.
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