Valentini warns Italy off Pirlo gamble: 'Mancini and Conte are certainties'
Quick summary
Former Italian footballer Valentini has cautioned against appointing Andrea Pirlo as Italy national team coach, insisting Roberto Mancini or Antonio Conte are the right choices for the role.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAndrea Pirlo’s presence on the shortlist to become Italy’s next head coach has drawn a note of caution from Antonello Valentini, with the former FIGC director general insisting the Azzurri are in no position to take risks.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb radio , Valentini addressed the four-man list reportedly outlined by federation president Giovanni Malagò: Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, Pirlo and Pep Guardiola.
“For me Pirlo is a gamble, and we cannot afford gambles. Mancini and Conte are two certainties,” he said. “Guardiola is a great coach, but not one suited to a national team, because he needs time, intense daily work. A national side gathers on average every 45 to 50 days.”
The calendar, he argued, leaves no margin for error. “We can no longer gamble, we have to go with certainty,” he added, pointing to six Nations League fixtures against Belgium, Turkey and France in the autumn, ahead of December’s Euro 2028 qualifying draw.
AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Valentini backs Mancini and Conte for Italy job after Pirlo doubts On the two frontrunners, Valentini addressed the reservations attached to each.
“Conte is certainly a winning coach, but he has to make peace with himself, the Federation doesn’t need a coach for two years or eighteen months, it needs to open a new technical era,” he said.
As for Mancini’s 2023 walkout for Saudi Arabia: “Enough with this ethical life sentence. He understood he made a mistake, he repented, he apologised. He won a European Championship and had 37 consecutive results without defeat.”
The decision now rests with Malagò and new technical director Paolo Maldini, whose appointment alongside advisor Leonardo last week marked the first step of the federation’s rebuild after a third straight World Cup missed. Valentini, for his part, has made his order of preference plain.
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What happened
Valentini, a former Italy international, has publicly weighed in on the ongoing debate over who should be the next Azzurri head coach. He expressed skepticism about Andrea Pirlo, whose coaching credentials remain limited, and argued that proven winners like Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte represent safer and more credible options. The comments come amid uncertainty over the Italy coaching position, with the national team seeking direction after recent underwhelming campaigns. Valentini's intervention reflects a broader sentiment in Italian football that experience and tactical pedigree should outweigh experimentation at international level.
Chance analysis
This editorial commentary highlights the political dynamics of the Italy coaching search rather than concrete developments. The preference for Mancini or Conte signals that the Italian football establishment values tournament-winning experience (Mancini won Euro 2020, Conte won Euro 2016 qualifying and built dominant Juventus sides). Pirlo, despite a brief and turbulent Juventus stint, lacks the CV to command consensus support. For prediction systems, this is background noise unless a formal appointment is announced; the actual identity of the next Italy coach will materially affect tactical approach and World Cup/Euro qualification odds.
No immediate effect on teams or players; may marginally influence the FIGC's public perception of Pirlo's candidacy if echoed by other ex-players.
No actionable prediction impact until an Italy coach is officially appointed; treat as low-urgency opinion piece on a fluid selection process.