Pirlo says controversy cost him Italy coaching role

Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo said Monday that the public debate around his expected appointment as head coach of the Italian national football team played a decisive role in his losing the job. The former midfielder, who was part of Italy's 2014 World Cup-winning squad, had been widely tipped to take charge of the national side for the next cycle. Pirlo said he was saddened by the developments and expressed his frustration publicly, noting that the controversy had weighed on the coaching decision. He suggested that the dispute had shaped how the process unfolded, without naming those involved. The Italian Football Federation's search for a new head coach had drawn heavy public attention in recent weeks, with Pirlo emerging as the leading candidate. His comments are likely to revive questions about how the federation handled the appointment. No further details were immediately available.