Pep Guardiola has decided against taking over as head coach of the Italy men’s national team.
Just days ago, FIGC president Giovanni Malago revealed that discussions had taken place with Guardiola, who departed Manchester City in the summer after a decade at the helm, and suggested that financial constraints would not be an obstacle.
On Thursday, the federation’s technical director Paolo Maldini stated that their initial approach was made to Carlo Ancelotti, the former Italy international currently leading Brazil’s national side.
Ancelotti has opted to remain in his current role, and Guardiola has now communicated to the FIGC that he plans to stick to his intended hiatus from football, giving him time to recharge, be with his loved ones and explore new places.
Reports indicate that alongside an enormous financial package, the FIGC essentially offered Guardiola complete freedom to design the position to his liking, hoping to lure one of the sport’s most decorated managers to revive a team that has missed out on three consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Yet after reflecting on the proposal for a while, he has turned it down.
This leaves Andrea Pirlo, the ex-Italy playmaker currently coaching United FC in Dubai, as the leading candidate to guide the Azzurri through a Nations League campaign this autumn featuring France, Belgium and Turkey, before attempting to secure a place at Euro 2028.
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