FIGC President Confirms Talks With Pep Guardiola For Potential Italy Role

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has held discussions with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over the vacant position of Italy’s national team head coach, FIGC president Giovanni Malago has confirmed. The federation is reportedly willing to make financial exceptions to attract the highly decorated Spanish manager.

Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after a successful decade-long tenure in which he guided the club to multiple major honours, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and one UEFA Champions League trophy. His departure has sparked speculation over his next managerial role, with Italy emerging as a potential destination.

Italy have been searching for a new head coach after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April following the national team’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup. The FIGC has since explored several high-profile options to rebuild the team ahead of future international competitions.

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Malago confirmed that talks had taken place with Guardiola and suggested that the federation could consider special financial arrangements to meet the Spaniard’s salary expectations. He, however, cautioned that discussions were ongoing and did not guarantee that an agreement would be reached.

According to reports, former Italy manager Roberto Mancini and ex-Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo are also among the candidates being considered for the role. Mancini previously led Italy to victory at Euro 2020, while Pirlo is currently managing Dubai United. Malago said the federation is looking for a particular profile and that several names fit the criteria.

If appointed, Guardiola would become only the third foreign coach to manage Italy’s men’s national team. The position has traditionally been held by Italian coaches, with Hungarian Lajos Czeizler and Argentine-born Helenio Herrera being the only previous non-Italian exceptions.

Guardiola’s possible move to Italy would not be without familiarity, as he speaks Italian and spent part of his playing career in Serie A with Brescia and AS Roma. After leaving Manchester City, where he admitted feeling exhausted after a demanding 10-year spell, the 55-year-old could make a quick return to management if negotiations with the FIGC progress.

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