Andrea Pirlo agrees to coach the Italian national team, with contract details and salary disclosed.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has agreed with former midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo is expected to become the Italy national team's head coach on a four-year deal.

Considered one of the best midfielders in football history, Pirlo won the 2006 World Cup with Italy and enjoyed a stellar career at Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus.

Currently, the 47-year-old coach is leading Dubai United, a club competing in the UAE First Division League.

Pirlo previously managed Juventus during the 2020-2021 season, guiding the Turin side to victory in the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Andrea Pirlo will sign a contract lasting until the end of the 2030 World Cup. However, the vision of FIGC's technical director, Paolo Maldini, is far more long-term, aiming to rebuild Italian football starting with players aged 12-13 and spanning around 8-10 years.

In terms of finances, Pirlo is expected to earn no more than 1.5 million euros per season. The management hopes that future successes will provide a basis for raising his salary.

Barring any unexpected developments or last-minute obstacles, Andrea Pirlo will soon be officially unveiled as the new head coach of the Italian national team.

The news of the agreement with Pirlo came just hours after former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola declined an offer to coach the Italian national team. A source with knowledge of the talks confirmed this to Reuters on Friday.

The 55-year-old Spanish tactician had held talks about the possibility of taking charge of the Azzurri. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò had previously stated that the Federation was ready to be financially flexible to secure a coach of Guardiola's stature.

The Italian national team has been looking for a new head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April, following the four-time world champions' failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight time. FIGC had also approached Brazil's national team coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Italian football is currently going through one of its most severe crises in decades. The appointment of a new head coach is viewed as the starting point for a comprehensive rebuild, particularly in the youth training and talent development system, an area that has significantly declined in a nation where football remains the most popular sport.