Andrea Pirlo is poised to take over as Italy head coach with Paolo Maldini backing a long-term rebuild, but his immediate test is the Nations League group against France, Belgium and Turkey — a campaign that will quickly shape Italy’s FIFA ranking and momentum.
Andrea Pirlo on the brink of Italy job
Andrea Pirlo appears set to become the next Italy head coach following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation after the World Cup play-off loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo have endorsed a multi-year project to restore the Azzurri’s standing, signalling patience at the federation level even as expectations remain high.
Nations League: the urgent first test
Italy’s immediate priority is the upcoming Nations League campaign running from September to November, where the Azzurri will meet France, Belgium and Turkey home and away. Those matches are more than friendlies: they offer immediate competitive benchmarks and will influence Italy’s position in the FIFA World Rankings — currently a troubling 15th, the lowest since 2019 — with implications for seeding at future major tournaments.
Why these fixtures matter
A Nations League group containing France and Belgium hands Pirlo high-quality opposition early. Strong results would supply momentum, raise Italy’s ranking, and buy time for a longer-term rebuild. Poor results would intensify scrutiny and shorten the honeymoon period for any developmental plan Maldini envisions.
What Pirlo must prioritise
Stabilise the defence. Italy’s defensive identity has been porous at times, and tightening structure — compactness in transition, clearer role definitions for centre-backs and full-backs — must come first. Clarify midfield dynamics. As a former midfield orchestrator, Pirlo must define a reliable pivot and balance creative license with defensive cover. Improve set pieces.
Marginal gains here will be decisive in tight matches against France and Belgium. Select decisively. Blending experienced leaders with emerging talent will be crucial; Pirlo needs a clear selection model rather than reactionary choices.
Tactical outlook and squad construction
Expect Pirlo to try and imprint a progressive, possession-oriented identity while acknowledging Italy’s traditional emphasis on organisation. Translating ball-playing ambition into consistent results against elite nations is the key challenge: tactical nuance must be matched by discipline and physical intensity.
The squad will likely feature a mix of veterans who understand tournament football and younger prospects to reset long-term competitiveness. Managing that transition — protecting players from overexposure while giving youth meaningful minutes — will be a managerial litmus test.
What success and failure will mean
Success in the Nations League would validate Maldini’s patient approach, improve Italy’s FIFA ranking and generate belief in a multi-year rebuild under Pirlo. It would also ease pressure ahead of qualifying cycles and tournament preparations. Failure would not only stall ranking recovery but amplify questions about appointing a relatively inexperienced national coach for an ambitious, decade-long project.
Bottom line
Andrea Pirlo’s appointment is a bold, high-profile gamble that pairs visionary ambitions with immediate, unforgiving tests.
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The Nations League is his first exam: how he organises the team, makes selection decisions and secures results there will determine whether Italy’s long-term plan gains credibility — or needs urgent re-evaluation.
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