Report Guardiola wages not a hurdle for Italy job as talks continue

A report from Sky Sport Italia says Pep Guardiola’s salary will not block a possible Italy job, overturning earlier assumptions that his wages made the appointment impossible. The same report notes that Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met the Spanish coach face‑to‑face and outlined a four‑year plan for the national side.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13 saw Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, react after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. The incident was captured in a photo by Naomi Baker and highlights his continued presence in England.

According to the same source, new Nazionale technical director Paolo Maldini and his special advisor Leonardo flew to Spain for a weekend‑long series of meetings with Guardiola. Their discussions focused on the strategic direction of the Italian national team.

Guardiola was offered the role of Italy CT, with the hope he can end their run of three consecutive missed World Cups. The offer underscores the federation’s desire for a high‑profile figure to reset the programme.

The reports stress that Guardiola is more interested in the project than the money, and that a decision should be reached within the next 24‑48 hours. Sky Sport Italia claims his wages are not a problem because the focus is on an all‑encompassing reboot of Italian football.

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A four‑year plan has been sketched, taking Italy all the way to the 2030 World Cup via the Nations League and the European Championship, with a strong emphasis on promoting players through the youth teams. The timeline reflects a long‑term vision rather than a short‑term fix.

Guardiola’s ties to Italy run deep: he played for Brescia and Roma and formed a special bond with then‑Brescia coach Carlo Mazzone. These personal connections are cited as part of his attraction to the role.

His friendship with Paolo Maldini is also well documented; Guardiola dedicated his 2009 Champions League trophy with Barcelona to the Milan legend upon Maldini’s retirement. The gesture illustrates the mutual respect between the two football icons.

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In October 2024, Roberto Baggio, Guardiola and Toni were photographed together at a restaurant in Brescia, reinforcing his ongoing links with Italian football personalities. “Paolo has had the admiration of the whole world for 25 years, so if he changes his mind and wants to play one more year, he can come and join us,” Guardiola said in a post‑match interview, adding, “Winning this trophy in Italy is truly special for me. I dedicate this cup to Maldini.”

Guardiola speaks fluent Italian and regularly returns to Italy for vacations, where he is known to dine with former teammates and fellow coaches. His linguistic ability and personal habits are seen as assets for any future role with the Nazionale.