Pep Guardiola in talks to become Italy head coach, says FIGC president Giovanni Malago
FIGC president Giovanni Malago says dialogue is open with the former Manchester City manager, but no deal is certain. Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met Guardiola in Barcelona to pitch a long-term project.
The approach
After Italy's third consecutive World Cup qualification failure, FIGC president Giovanni Malago and technical director Paolo Maldini have turned to Pep Guardiola. Malago confirmed that talks have taken place, describing them as important to open a dialogue and keep it alive. Maldini and advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona for a meeting with Guardiola, transforming a suggestion into a concrete possibility. Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season after a decade and six Premier League titles, and has said he planned a break from management.
I do believe, however, that it was still the right thing to do and important to open a dialogue and keep it alive, to keep it going.
The project
The FIGC presented Guardiola with a "progetto Azzurro" that would make him the central figure of a renewal spanning the senior national team and youth selections. The plan targets a strong Nations League performance, building a squad for Euro 2028 in England, and ultimately the 2030 World Cup, to be hosted across Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Guardiola, who has never managed a national team, is said to be intrigued by the challenge. He has personal ties to Italy, having played for Brescia and Roma, and considers the country a second home.
The obstacles
Guardiola's salary at Manchester City exceeded 20 million euros net per year, a figure the FIGC cannot match. Malago acknowledged the financial gap, saying exceptions could be made but the demands must be compatible with the federation's budgets. Guardiola also holds a contract as a global ambassador for the City Football Group, though that is seen as surmountable. The English Football Association, reportedly unhappy with Thomas Tuchel, is also making an approach.
You can take a mammasantissima, but first you need to understand if he is available and interested, and then if his demands are compatible with our budgets.
Other candidates
While Guardiola is the most talked-about name, Malago stressed that discussions with other candidates have already begun. Andrea Pirlo, the former Juventus coach and Maldini's preferred choice, and Roberto Mancini, the former Italy manager and Malago's initial idea, remain in contention. Malago said the choice could fall on someone generationally from a more recent school of thought. No decision is imminent, and Guardiola has not yet responded.
What's next
The FIGC awaits Guardiola's answer. Malago said exceptions could be made for a figure of his stature, but it is not certain that this will actually come to fruition. The federation is working with the budget left by Gattuso's departure for the remainder of 2026. The uncertainty leaves Italy without a coach as the Nations League approaches.
