Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to become Italy’s new head coach. The Italian Football Federation made an approach to Guardiola over three days of talks Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April after Italy failed to qualify for their third World Cup.
The Italian great is expected to take charge after Guardiola responded to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday night. Sky in Italy say Guardiola’s decision was taken for personal reasons unrelated to sport. The FIGC met with Guardiola to convince him to replace Gennaro Gattuso as the head coach of the national team, and were willing to change their budget dramatically to do so.
Guardiola held talks with FIGC chiefs Paolo Maldini and his adviser Leonardo for three days, during which they presented their plans for the national team. But when they met the former Manchester City manager in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo hatched a plan that was more than just putting out a feeler for a coaching job.
Italy Miss Out on Guardiola for National Team Overhaul
Guardiola would have played an important part in the “Azzurro project” of the FIGC, which aimed to rebuild Italian football on solid foundations. Italy didn’t even qualify for this summer’s extended World Cup. The complete revamp would have involved the senior national team and all other national teams.
The Catalan is said to have given great care to the proposal made by Maldini and Leonardo. Pirlo will now terminate his contract with United FC, a Dubai-based United Arab Emirates club, as part of finalising his move to become head coach of Italy.
Maldini, FIGC technical director, said Carlo Ancelotti was also called before Guardiola, even if he is under contract with the Brazil national team.
Italian football’s major overhaul saw Maldini and Leonardo added after the teItaly have not reached the last three major competitions since winning the European Championships under Mancini in 2021. When Guardiola’s time at City ended he said he wanted a break from football.
Pep Guardiola Explains Why Family Comes Before Football
When the departure was officially announced, Guardiola repeated this statement, saying his decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family. No coaching plans for a while. Otherwise, I would be here. I got to sit back. Speaking at his last news conference with Manchester City he said: ‘I will not [coach] for a while. am failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, the FIGC said.
They had to find a replacement for Gattuso, who quit after not qualifying for the tournament in North America this summer. The ten-year relationship between Guardiola and Manchester City has come to an end, meaning that for the first time in ten years he is a free agent. He finished with a 70.8% winning percentage and 20 trophies to his team’s win column.
“I don’t think I’ll have the energy to compete for titles every single day much longer,” he told Sky Sports. “I know myself, and I understand what I can give. At some point, I just won’t have that same drive. “He added that football is no longer the only priority in his life.
“There are still many things I want to experience outside the game,” he said. “I’m fortunate that my father is still with me, and I want to spend more time with him and with my children. I’m in a position where I can make that choice, and that’s exactly why I’ve decided this.”
ALSO READ:
- Spain seal 2026 World Cup glory with win over Argentina
- Los Angeles Knight Riders clinch maiden MLC title on last ball
- Spain tipped to defeat Argentina in 2026 World Cup final