The Italian Football Federation has reached an agreement with former midfielder Andrea Pirlo to take over as head coach of the national team on a four-year contract, according to La Repubblica newspaper. Pirlo is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in football history, won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, and had a stellar career with Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus. Pirlo, 47, currently coaches Dubai United in the UAE second division. He previously coached Juventus in the 2020-2021 season, winning the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup. The federation offered the job to Spaniard Pep Guardiola, former coach of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, but he turned down the assignment. Italy has been looking for a new coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April, after the four-time world champion failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.