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FIGC President Confirms Talks With Pep Guardiola Over Italy Head Coach Vacancy
When Giovanni Malago assumed the FIGC presidency in June 2026, the Azzurri were already in turmoil—Italy had missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the third straight time. In a recent interview with the online portal Cronache di Spogliatoio, Malago revealed that the federation has opened a dialogue with Spanish maestro Pep Guardiola about the vacant national‑team head‑coach slot.
Malago described the talks as "open" and noted that the FIGC is willing to consider a salary bump for Guardiola, although he stressed that the offer’s acceptance was far from guaranteed. The president’s remarks came after the federation’s search for a new direction following the nation’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
A former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Malago brings a business‑savvy, sports‑administration background to the role. His appointment followed Italy’s third consecutive failure to reach a World Cup final, prompting the federation to seek fresh leadership.
Pep Guardiola, 55, is best known for his tenure at Manchester City, where he secured six Premier League titles and the 2023‑24 UEFA Champions League. Prior to that, he managed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Spanish national team. As a player, Guardiola had brief stints in Italy with Brescia (2001‑02) and AS Roma (2002‑03), giving him first‑hand experience of the country’s football culture.
The Azzurri boast a storied legacy, having lifted four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and two European Championships (1968, 2020). Their recent decline began with a penalty‑shootout loss to Bosnia‑Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs in March 2026, ending Italy’s bid to return to the tournament.
Other names linked to the vacancy include former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini. Pirlo, who played for the national team from 2006 to 2015, has been involved in coaching discussions, while Mancini, who guided Italy to the 2020 European Championship title, is also a candidate.
During the interview, Malago said the federation would make a financial exception if it hired Guardiola, noting that the budget for the coach’s salary could be increased "for obvious reasons." He added that keeping the dialogue alive was "important" and that the conversation represented the right step, even if the final offer might not materialise.
Bringing Guardiola to the national team would introduce a manager with a proven record at the highest club level. However, his coaching style—heavily reliant on daily training and tactical preparation—raises questions about how it would translate to the international arena, where coaches work with players less frequently.
At this stage, the FIGC has not announced a decision. The federation’s next steps involve further discussions with the candidates and a review of the financial implications. Italy’s upcoming Nations League match against Belgium on 25 September will serve as a key test of the team’s form as it seeks to rebuild after the World Cup qualification failure.
In summary, the FIGC president has confirmed that talks with Pep Guardiola have occurred and that the federation is open to a salary adjustment for the Spanish manager. No formal offer has been made, and the decision remains pending. The Azzurri will continue to prepare for their September Nations League fixture while the FIGC finalises its choice of head coach.
Malago described the talks as "open" and noted that the FIGC is willing to consider a salary bump for Guardiola, although he stressed that the offer’s acceptance was far from guaranteed. The president’s remarks came after the federation’s search for a new direction following the nation’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
A former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Malago brings a business‑savvy, sports‑administration background to the role. His appointment followed Italy’s third consecutive failure to reach a World Cup final, prompting the federation to seek fresh leadership.
Pep Guardiola, 55, is best known for his tenure at Manchester City, where he secured six Premier League titles and the 2023‑24 UEFA Champions League. Prior to that, he managed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Spanish national team. As a player, Guardiola had brief stints in Italy with Brescia (2001‑02) and AS Roma (2002‑03), giving him first‑hand experience of the country’s football culture.
The Azzurri boast a storied legacy, having lifted four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and two European Championships (1968, 2020). Their recent decline began with a penalty‑shootout loss to Bosnia‑Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs in March 2026, ending Italy’s bid to return to the tournament.
Other names linked to the vacancy include former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini. Pirlo, who played for the national team from 2006 to 2015, has been involved in coaching discussions, while Mancini, who guided Italy to the 2020 European Championship title, is also a candidate.
During the interview, Malago said the federation would make a financial exception if it hired Guardiola, noting that the budget for the coach’s salary could be increased "for obvious reasons." He added that keeping the dialogue alive was "important" and that the conversation represented the right step, even if the final offer might not materialise.
Bringing Guardiola to the national team would introduce a manager with a proven record at the highest club level. However, his coaching style—heavily reliant on daily training and tactical preparation—raises questions about how it would translate to the international arena, where coaches work with players less frequently.
At this stage, the FIGC has not announced a decision. The federation’s next steps involve further discussions with the candidates and a review of the financial implications. Italy’s upcoming Nations League match against Belgium on 25 September will serve as a key test of the team’s form as it seeks to rebuild after the World Cup qualification failure.
In summary, the FIGC president has confirmed that talks with Pep Guardiola have occurred and that the federation is open to a salary adjustment for the Spanish manager. No formal offer has been made, and the decision remains pending. The Azzurri will continue to prepare for their September Nations League fixture while the FIGC finalises its choice of head coach.
