Andrea Pirlo: 'My love for Italy does not depend on a role – it is part of my story' | OneFootball

Andrea Pirlo will no longer take charge of Italy. The 47-year-old coach has reportedly been ruled out amid alleged links to the Russian agency Fonbet, which specialises in sports betting.

The former midfielder, who is now in charge of Dubai United, took to social media to 'clarify a few points.'

"Throughout my career, first as a player and now as a coach, I have always carried out my work in full respect of the laws of the countries where I have worked and the contracts I have signed," Pirlo said.

"The professional collaboration that gave rise to the recent controversy took place within the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates and is exclusively commercial and sporting in nature. To attach a political meaning to it is to attribute to me beliefs I have never expressed and that do not represent me."

Pirlo also thanked Paolo Maldini and Leonardo – technical director and consultant to the Italian federation, respectively – for their 'esteem and trust'.

"I regret that a sporting decision was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended up attributing intentions and meanings to me that do not belong to me. My love for Italy does not depend on a role. It is part of my story, my identity, and it will continue to be with me, always," he concluded.

Italy are currently looking for a new head coach after the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, who failed to secure qualification for the World Cup with the team yet to feature in a World Cup since 2014.