Rome, Italy – Andrea Pirlo, the Italian football legend and current manager of United FC Dubai in the UAE, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the possibility of him coaching the Italian national team. He emphasized that his work in the UAE should not be interpreted as having any political dimensions.
Pirlo’s comments came after the Italian Football Federation backed away from pursuing his contract. This was due to his role as a global ambassador for a Russian sports betting company, a fact that sparked controversy in Italy.
Pirlo said, in comments reported by Sky Sports: “The professional collaboration that has been the subject of controversy came during my time in the UAE. This is a purely commercial and sporting collaboration, and it does not carry any political dimensions or messages”.
He added: “It is unfair to burden this cooperation with political interpretations or to link it to beliefs that I have never adopted. They do not express me or my personal convictions”.
Pirlo thanked Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for their support and confidence. He said: “I appreciate the trust they have placed in me, and I know very well how dedicated they are to Italian football and their desire to serve the national team”.
The Italian coach expressed his regret that his appointment had become an issue outside the realm of sports. He explained: “I am saddened that a technical decision quickly turned into a public debate in which positions and intentions completely unrelated to me were attributed to me”.
He continued: “I remained silent out of respect for the Italian Federation and all the relevant institutions, but I felt it was my duty to clarify the truth of the matter. Throughout my career, as a player and a coach, I have adhered to the laws and contracts in every country where I have worked”.
Pirlo concluded his remarks by emphasizing that his love for his country is not tied to any position, saying: “My love for Italy is part of my identity and history, and it always will be, regardless of any position or role I hold”.
