Italy manager Antonio Conte preparing for life without Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo may not get a chance to play for Italy again.

His role with the national team ahead of Euro 2016 is under evaluation, Italy manager Antonio Conte said on Monday.

Pirlo, who recently concluded a trying first season in Major League Soccer with New York City FC, was not called up for friendlies against Belgium on Nov. 13 and Romania on Nov. 17. And Conte is now considering dropping the 36-year-old if his performances don't improve.

"He's not been playing for two weeks now and I need to make my own evaluations," Conte told reporters. "I rate him highly, he knows what I think of him. However, I have to be impartial in my assessments. He'll be 37 next year, let's wait and see.

"I have to start looking around and take into account the possibility that Pirlo cannot play anymore for Italy. Nevertheless, I hope he'll give positive signals next March."

Pirlo had written in his autobiography that he would retire from international duty after the 2014 World Cup, but it was Conte who lured him back the into the squad.

Reports last week suggested that Inter Milan may bring in Pirlo on loan during the MLS off-season, which runs during the majority of the North American winter.

It's not known whether he would move back to Italy for a brief spell to keep himself in shape, or enjoy some kind of an extended break for the first time in four years.

Conte previously called up Pirlo for the Euro qualifiers in September, but he was only used for one of the two games.

The former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder has made 116 appearances for the Azzurri.