The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni Malagò, has confirmed that financial “exceptions” have been put in place for Pep Guardiola to potentially become Italy’s next head coach. Guardiola, who departed Manchester City at the conclusion of last season, has been linked with the vacant role, and reports indicate he has engaged in discussions with the FIGC.
Guardiola concluded a successful 10-year tenure at Manchester City, where his team secured six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and the Champions League. His previous coaching roles include stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He is currently without a club and is free to take on a new position.
The Italy head coach position became open after Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April. This resignation followed the national team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The FIGC has reportedly met with Guardiola in an effort to persuade him to accept the role, with officials Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo presenting their vision for the national team’s future.
Rebuilding Italian Football
The discussions between FIGC officials and Guardiola in Barcelona reportedly outlined an extensive “Azzurro project.” This initiative aims to reconstruct Italian football from its foundations, encompassing not only the senior national team but also other national teams. Italy’s failure to qualify for the expanded World Cup this summer has prompted a significant shake-up within the FIGC, leading to the appointments of Maldini and Leonardo.
Malagò indicated that while exceptions have been made, it is not certain that Guardiola will take the job. He stated, “Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this thing will go through.”
Other individuals reportedly considered for the head coach role include Roberto Mancini, who guided Italy to Euro 2020 victory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Malagò clarified that these are not the only candidates, stating, “Absolutely not. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category.”
Guardiola’s Future Considerations
Following his departure from Manchester City, Guardiola had expressed an intention to take a break from football. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a primary reason for his decision, stating he would not coach for a while as he felt he would not have the energy for the daily expectations of fighting for titles. He also mentioned that he wanted to do things he had not yet done and spend more time with his father and children.
However, Guardiola has previously indicated an interest in international management, noting that it differs from club management. He stated in 2024 that he would not leave Manchester City to do the same thing in another country, suggesting that a national team role could be a different challenge.
The appointment of a new national coach is seen as a crucial step in revitalizing Italy’s youth and talent infrastructure, which has faced challenges. Italy’s next scheduled fixture is a Nations League Group A match against Belgium on 25 September.
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Source: theguardian.com
