Exclusive: Gilardino hot favourite for Pisa as Almeyda attempt fails | OneFootball

Alberto Gilardino remains the hot favourite to take over at Pisa after a failed attempt to convince Matias Almeyda.

They are back in the top flight after an absence of 34 years, having finished second in Serie B behind Fabio Grosso’s Sassuolo, earning automatic promotion.

Pippo Inzaghi was at the helm, but decided to leave for a new challenge and terminated his contract today by mutual consent.

He is widely expected to begin again in Serie B with Palermo.

Gilardino likely to take Pisa job

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Alberto Gilardino, head coach of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 24, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Pisa need a new coach for Serie A and they are very close to making a decision for Gilardino.

There has already been one meeting with the former Genoa coach and another is planned for over the weekend to make a final choice.

Pisa had attempted to coax Almeyda into taking the job, but he is instead heading towards Sevilla.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Matias Almeyda, Head Coach of AEK Athens, looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 group stage match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AEK Athens FC at American Express Community Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Gilardino was the Genoa youth team coach until his promotion to the senior role in December 2022, taking them to promotion into Serie A.

He had started this season, only to be fired on November 19, 2024, after two wins, four draws and six Serie A defeats.