Pirlo begins to assemble new Italy staff | OneFootball

Andrea Pirlo is set to become the new Italy coach and his staff is taking shape too, including some familiar faces.

It is now widely reported by multiple sources that Pirlo has been offered the job and accepted, the third choice after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola turned down the opportunity.

The only delay now is so that he can terminate his current contract with UAE club United FC, then sign the new deal with the Nazionale until the 2030 World Cup.

Pirlo picks familiar faces

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 12: Andrea Pirlo, Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore on May 12, 2021 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

According to Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, Pirlo is already assembling his staff for the Italy role.

His assistant manager will be Roberto Baronio, the former Brescia, Fiorentina, Lazio and Udinese midfielder, who is already working with him at United FC.

Baronio has been on Pirlo’s staff since their time together at the Juventus academy, going on through Karagumruk and Sampdoria.

4 Jun 2000: Andrea Pirlo (left) and Roberto Baronio of Italy celebrate after the European Championships Under 21 Final against Czech Republic at the Slovan Stadium, Bratislava, Slovakia. Italy won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole /Allsport

It is a return, because he was the coach of the Italy Under-18 side in 2015-16, then promoted to the Under-19 team for the next season.

Baronio was also teammates with Pirlo in the Italy squad that won the European Under-21 Championship in 2000.

Roberto De Bellis is again already with them at United FC and should be the fitness coach.

A new arrival would be Paolo Bertelli, who only just signed on as Performance Manager at Genoa, so might have to do a dual role.

It is reported that Marco Savorani could be drafted in as goalkeeping coach, which would be a return as he had the position with Luciano Spalletti’s Italy from 2023 to 2025.

He had until a few weeks ago been working with Atalanta, but in the past had jobs at Roma, Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina.