Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Italian Football Federation has made a dramatic move to secure one of the most coveted managers in world football, holding face-to-face talks with Pep Guardiola over the weekend in a bid to convince him to become the next head coach of the Azzurri. According to Sky in Italy, the FIGC's new technical director, Paolo Maldini, and his advisor, Leonardo, travelled to Barcelona to meet with the former Manchester City boss and present their project for the national team. The discussions extended over three days, with Maldini and Leonardo outlining a comprehensive technical and organisational plan that would give Guardiola full operational control.
The approach comes after Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, a humiliation that prompted the departure of former head coach Gennaro Gattuso in April. The FIGC subsequently appointed Maldini as technical director and Leonardo as his advisor, tasking them with finding a successor capable of restoring the nation's footballing pride. Other candidates for the role include Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to the European Championship in 2021, and Andrea Pirlo. However, Guardiola is understood to be at the top of the federation's wish list.
Despite the ambitious approach, securing Guardiola's signature remains a formidable challenge. The 56-year-old Catalan coach has repeatedly stated his intention to take a sabbatical after ending his 10-year association with Manchester City, where he won 20 trophies. In his final press conference at the Etihad, Guardiola made his position clear: "No plans for [coaching] for a while. Otherwise I would be here. I need to step back. I will not [coach] for a while". Speaking earlier this month, he elaborated on his desire for a break, saying: "I want to try to discover life, to be happy doing other things not related to football. I love my job but there comes a moment when you feel you need to take a break". He also expressed a desire to spend more time with his 95-year-old father and his children.
The FIGC is aware of these obstacles but is hoping to persuade Guardiola to change his mind. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò acknowledged the difficulty of the pursuit, stating: "To those who say we should get a 'big name', the first question to ask is whether the profile is interested. The second is what requests or demands he might have. And then whether those requests are compatible with our budget". Reports indicate that Guardiola's salary is not the primary obstacle, with a four-year plan reportedly outlined that would take Italy through to the 2030 World Cup.
However, the likelihood of Guardiola accepting the role remains uncertain. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the talks are leaning towards a rejection, with the strong feeling that Guardiola is not ready to return to coaching so soon. For now, Maldini and Leonardo have returned to Italy to report back to Malagò on Guardiola's response. The federation is expected to make a decision on the next head coach in the coming days. Whether that decision will be Guardiola or another candidate, the Azzurri's pursuit of one of football's greatest managers signals a bold new era for Italian football.
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