Italy's pursuit of Pep Guardiola to break 12‑year World Cup exile

Italy have reportedly held talks with Pep Guardiola in Barcelona as the Italian Football Federation seeks to appoint him as national team coach after the Azzurri missed the World Cup in March. The Azzurri missed out on a third successive World Cup in March after a play‑off final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. That loss prompted the departure of Gennaro Gattuso as head coach.

Sky in Italy the Italian Football Federation have launched an ambitious approach toward former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Paolo Maldini, newly appointed technical director of the FIGC, travelled to Barcelona with advisor Leonardo to discuss the role. Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after ten trophy‑laden years.

It remains unclear whether Guardiola is interested in the job, but the FIGC is making serious efforts to persuade him. Maldini and Leonardo have been speaking with Guardiola over a three‑day period.

Italy have only ever employed one foreign manager, Argentine Helenio Herrera, who shared duties with Italian Fercuccio Valcareggi in 1966‑67. Should the Guardiola bid fail, the federation is also evaluating Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo as possible successors.

Guardiola said before his City exit that he had “no plans for coaching for a while,” citing a lack of energy. He echoed a sentiment expressed earlier by Jurgen Klopp when leaving Liverpool.