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Italian FA Confirms Talks With Pep Guardiola Over National Team Coaching Vacancy
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that it has held discussions with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola about the vacant head‑coach position for the men's national team. The statement came from FIGC president Giovanni Malago, who said the talks were held in an interview with the online sports site Cronache di Spogliatoio.
Malago explained that the conversations included a willingness to offer a higher salary to Guardiola, describing it as an exception for "obvious reasons". He added that, while the possibility of a deal existed, it was not certain that it would materialise. "It was important to open a dialogue and keep it alive," he said.
Guardiola, 55, is a former player for Brescia and AS Roma between 2001 and 2003, giving him first‑hand experience of Italian football. He stepped down as Manchester City manager at the end of the 2025‑26 season after a decade that saw six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
The Italian national side is currently in a period of uncertainty. In March, the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup for the third consecutive time, a result that has prompted a search for new leadership. Italy, which has won four World Cups, faces Belgium on 25 September in a Nations League match.
Other candidates for the coaching role have been mentioned in the media. Former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini, who led the national team to the Euro 2020 title, are also being considered.
The FIGC has not yet announced a decision. The president said that the dialogue with Guardiola was a positive step, but that the final choice would depend on further discussions and the federation’s assessment of the best fit for the national team.
The national team’s current caretaker coach is Silvio Baldini, who will oversee friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece in June. A permanent appointment is expected after the June 22 match.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach comes amid broader discussions about the direction of Italian football. The federation’s president, who has also served as president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has emphasised the need for a modern approach to coaching and player development.
The potential appointment of a high‑profile manager such as Guardiola would represent a significant shift for the Azzurri. It would also raise questions about the federation’s budget and the willingness to make exceptions for salary demands.
The FIGC has not released any official statement regarding the salary figure or the exact terms of any offer. The president’s comments were limited to the fact that the federation was open to discussion and that it had considered the possibility of a higher budget.
The national team’s next competitive fixture is the Nations League match against Belgium on 25 September. The outcome of that game will be a key factor in the federation’s evaluation of coaching options.
The Italian FA remains in the process of finalising a new head coach. The federation has not yet named a candidate, and the decision will likely be announced in the coming weeks.
The search for a new manager is part of a broader effort to restore Italy’s competitiveness on the international stage after a series of disappointing results. The federation’s leadership is under pressure to secure a coach who can rebuild the squad and prepare the team for future tournaments.
The outcome of the discussions with Guardiola and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will be closely watched by Italian football stakeholders, fans, and international observers.
The national team’s performance in the upcoming Nations League match and the subsequent selection process will determine Italy’s direction for the next few years.
The FIGC’s decision will also influence the national team’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which Italy has failed to qualify for in recent years.
The federation’s approach to coaching appointments, budget allocations, and strategic direction will be critical to Italy’s future success on the international stage.
The next steps for the FIGC include finalising the coaching appointment, confirming the budget, and preparing the national squad for upcoming fixtures.
The Italian FA’s ongoing search for a new head coach reflects the urgency of addressing Italy’s recent performance challenges and restoring confidence in the national team.
The federation’s decision will shape the trajectory of Italian football for the coming seasons.
The national team’s performance in the upcoming Nations League match against Belgium will be a key indicator of the squad’s readiness for future competitions.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced in the coming weeks, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
Malago explained that the conversations included a willingness to offer a higher salary to Guardiola, describing it as an exception for "obvious reasons". He added that, while the possibility of a deal existed, it was not certain that it would materialise. "It was important to open a dialogue and keep it alive," he said.
Guardiola, 55, is a former player for Brescia and AS Roma between 2001 and 2003, giving him first‑hand experience of Italian football. He stepped down as Manchester City manager at the end of the 2025‑26 season after a decade that saw six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
The Italian national side is currently in a period of uncertainty. In March, the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup for the third consecutive time, a result that has prompted a search for new leadership. Italy, which has won four World Cups, faces Belgium on 25 September in a Nations League match.
Other candidates for the coaching role have been mentioned in the media. Former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini, who led the national team to the Euro 2020 title, are also being considered.
The FIGC has not yet announced a decision. The president said that the dialogue with Guardiola was a positive step, but that the final choice would depend on further discussions and the federation’s assessment of the best fit for the national team.
The national team’s current caretaker coach is Silvio Baldini, who will oversee friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece in June. A permanent appointment is expected after the June 22 match.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach comes amid broader discussions about the direction of Italian football. The federation’s president, who has also served as president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has emphasised the need for a modern approach to coaching and player development.
The potential appointment of a high‑profile manager such as Guardiola would represent a significant shift for the Azzurri. It would also raise questions about the federation’s budget and the willingness to make exceptions for salary demands.
The FIGC has not released any official statement regarding the salary figure or the exact terms of any offer. The president’s comments were limited to the fact that the federation was open to discussion and that it had considered the possibility of a higher budget.
The national team’s next competitive fixture is the Nations League match against Belgium on 25 September. The outcome of that game will be a key factor in the federation’s evaluation of coaching options.
The Italian FA remains in the process of finalising a new head coach. The federation has not yet named a candidate, and the decision will likely be announced in the coming weeks.
The search for a new manager is part of a broader effort to restore Italy’s competitiveness on the international stage after a series of disappointing results. The federation’s leadership is under pressure to secure a coach who can rebuild the squad and prepare the team for future tournaments.
The outcome of the discussions with Guardiola and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will be closely watched by Italian football stakeholders, fans, and international observers.
The national team’s performance in the upcoming Nations League match and the subsequent selection process will determine Italy’s direction for the next few years.
The FIGC’s decision will also influence the national team’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which Italy has failed to qualify for in recent years.
The federation’s approach to coaching appointments, budget allocations, and strategic direction will be critical to Italy’s future success on the international stage.
The next steps for the FIGC include finalising the coaching appointment, confirming the budget, and preparing the national squad for upcoming fixtures.
The Italian FA’s ongoing search for a new head coach reflects the urgency of addressing Italy’s recent performance challenges and restoring confidence in the national team.
The federation’s decision will shape the trajectory of Italian football for the coming seasons.
The national team’s performance in the upcoming Nations League match against Belgium will be a key indicator of the squad’s readiness for future competitions.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced in the coming weeks, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
The Italian FA’s search for a new head coach is a significant development in Italian football, with implications for the national team’s future competitiveness.
The federation’s decision will be closely monitored by football analysts, fans, and stakeholders across Italy and beyond.
The national team’s upcoming fixtures and the eventual appointment of a new head coach will determine Italy’s path forward in international football.
The FIGC’s appointment of a new head coach will be announced soon, with the federation expected to provide further details on the selection process and budget considerations.
