Milan, 27 July (LaPresse) – “I learnt last night that I am no longer a candidate for the national team manager’s job,” wrote Andrea Pirlo in an Instagram story posted this morning, pulling himself out of the running for the role of Italy’s new head coach. It seemed only a matter of time before the former Juventus manager was officially confirmed, but the Fonbet scandal has changed the Federation’s plans. Now, according to betting analysts at Snai and Sisal, we’re back to square one – to the head-to-head that had set the early summer alight. Antonio Conte has made a strong return to the frontrunner position, priced at 2.00; he was also a hot favourite a few days ago following Pep Guardiola’s refusal, and is ahead of Roberto Mancini, despite the Euro 2020 manager having revealed that he had had no contact with the FIGC’s new leadership. His return to the Azzurri is priced at 3.25 times the stake. In these weeks of constant twists and turns, however, it is impossible not to consider the outsiders: rounding off the virtual podium are Stefano Pioli and Raffaele Palladino at 9.00. Whilst the former Milan manager is already a favourite of Paolo Maldini, the coach from Campania could be the surprise of the final hours. Trailing at 20.00 is the captain of the last World Cup squad, Fabio Cannavaro, on the same odds as Thiago Motta, who has been out of management since leaving Juventus.
Football: Pirlo out of the running; Conte back in the bookmakers’ favour for the national team
Milan, 27 July (LaPresse) – “I learnt last night that I am no longer a candidate for the national team manager’s job,” wrote Andrea Pirlo in an Instagram story posted this morning, pulling himself out of the running for the role of Italy’s new head coach. It seemed only a matter of time before the former Juventus manager was officially confirmed, but the Fonbet scandal has changed the Federation’s plans. Now, according to betting analysts at Snai and Sisal, we’re back to square one – to the head-to-head that had set the early summer alight. Antonio Conte has made a strong return to the frontrunner position, priced at 2.00; he was also a hot favourite a few days ago following Pep Guardiola’s refusal, and is ahead of Roberto Mancini, despite the Euro 2020 manager having revealed that he had had no contact with the FIGC’s new leadership. His return to the Azzurri is priced at 3.25 times the stake. In these weeks of constant twists and turns, however, it is impossible not to consider the outsiders: rounding off the virtual podium are Stefano Pioli and Raffaele Palladino at 9.00. Whilst the former Milan manager is already a favourite of Paolo Maldini, the coach from Campania could be the surprise of the final hours. Trailing at 20.00 is the captain of the last World Cup squad, Fabio Cannavaro, on the same odds as Thiago Motta, who has been out of management since leaving Juventus.
