Italy Initiates Contact With Pep Guardiola for Azzurri Head Coach Role
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has taken a concrete step in its search for a new national team coach by opening talks with Pep Guardiola. According to reports from Sky Italy, FIGC’s newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and his adviser Leonardo travelled to Barcelona for three days of discussions with the former Manchester City boss.
The meetings centred on outlining a long‑term vision for the Azzurri as Italy looks to recover from a string of disappointments, most notably failing to qualify for three consecutive FIFA World Cups. Guardiola, who is currently without a club after concluding a decade‑long, trophy‑laden stint at Manchester City, has not yet committed to the role, but the federation is said to be pushing hard to secure his services.
Alongside Guardiola, Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo remain under consideration for the position. Maldini and Leonardo were installed as part of a broader overhaul of Italian football following the country’s third straight World Cup absence, with one of their primary tasks being to find a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after Italy missed the recent North American tournament.
During his final press conference at Manchester City, Guardiola explained his decision to step away from coaching, citing a need to recharge and spend more time with family, especially his ageing father. He emphasized that while he still possesses the drive, he feels his energy levels may not sustain the relentless pressure of title challenges in the near future.
Italy’s last major triumph came with the European Championship win under Mancini in 2021, but subsequent campaigns have seen the team struggle to reach the pinnacle of international football. Securing a coach of Guardiola’s calibre could mark a turning point in the nation’s ambitions to return to consistent success on the world stage.
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