Italy FA confirms talks with Pep Guardiola for head coach role

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially opened negotiations to appoint Pep Guardiola as the next head coach of the Italian national team. The federation is navigating a complex recruitment process following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso in April. Gattuso departed the role after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, a development that has left the four-time champions in a period of significant structural uncertainty.

FIGC president Giovanni Malagò confirmed the high-stakes discussions on the Cronache di Spogliatoio podcast. Malagò acknowledged that the federation is prepared to diverge from its established financial policies to accommodate the former Manchester City manager. Exceptions have been made, exceptions that for example may concern the name that is so overbearing in these hours: Pep Guardiola, Malagò stated. He emphasized that these financial considerations are significant, noting that the federation must generally tighten its belt in the near term. However, he maintained that the potential to hire a manager of Guardiola’s stature justifies an extraordinary investment.

Related imagery

Despite the optimism surrounding the pursuit, Malagò cautioned against viewing the appointment as inevitable. It is not certain that this thing will go through, the president said. But I believe it was right and important to open a dialogue and keep it alive.

The outreach effort has involved high-level representatives from the federation. According to reports, the recently appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo traveled to Barcelona to meet with Guardiola. Their presentation is said to reach beyond the senior squad, offering a long-term vision intended to overhaul the country's youth and talent development infrastructure, which has seen a marked decline in recent years.

While the FIGC is clearly prioritizing a move for the Spaniard, the federation is maintaining a wider search to ensure the national team is not left without a manager should the talks collapse. Malagò confirmed that the shortlist is not limited to three names. However, he noted that former Italy manager Roberto Mancini — who led the team to victory at Euro 2020 — and former midfielder Andrea Pirlo fit the specific profile the federation is seeking. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category, Malagò explained.

Convincing Guardiola to accept the role remains a substantial hurdle. The 55-year-old manager concluded his ten-year tenure at Manchester City earlier this year with a trophy-laden record including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory. Upon his departure, he stated his intention to take a sabbatical, citing a need to step back from the daily intensity of club management.

For Italy, the need for a turnaround is critical. The country has struggled to remain competitive on the international stage, and the next appointment is viewed as a foundational step toward rebuilding the national team's identity. Guardiola’s history with Italy, having spent time as a player at Brescia and Roma, and his fluency in the language are seen by the federation as assets that could ease a transition into the role.

What to watch next

• Sabbatical considerations: Whether the proposed long-term project to modernize Italian football proves enticing enough for Guardiola to shorten his planned break from the dugout.
• Broadened search: Further evaluation by the FIGC of the wider shortlist as the federation balances the pursuit of its top candidate against the need for a stable appointment.
• Upcoming fixtures: The pressure on the federation to finalize an appointment ahead of the Nations League Group A match against Belgium, scheduled for 25 September 2026.

While the federation awaits a final decision from the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, no definitive timeline has been established for the announcement of a new manager. The situation remains fluid as the FIGC attempts to secure the most prominent name in modern European football management.