Pep Guardiola will find it difficult to succeed as Italy coach because of the institutional problems in Serie A, according to Azzurri midfielder Demetrio Albertini.
Guardiola has held talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over the vacant coaching job and, although no deal has yet been reached, the possibility of former Manchester City boss Guardiola’s immediate return to football remains to be seen.
Italy won Euro 2020 but failed to reach the last three World Cups as they struggled to get recognition.
Guardiola can offer that but Albertini is not convinced that the Spanish’s difficult philosophy will work in Italy, as it is taught in educational institutions from a young age.
He told AS: “About Pep Guardiola, what should you say… We are talking about a great one, without a doubt. But you have to be sure that you can work here [in Italy]. You have to understand if your philosophy can marry.
“Let’s see… Italy, its DNA, is different from Spain in the way it defines soccer. We have to use the method of our young talents. I think, in Italy, today, it is not designed. In Spain, with its unique style, yes. You cannot change the DNA.”
Italy can achieve success in other ways – Albertini
Guardiola is on a FIGC shortlist that also includes Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte and Andre Pirlo as they look to replace Gennaro Gattuso.
And Albertini, a former FIGC vice-president, insists Italy can still find success even if Guardiola is appointed.
He added: “We are talking about a national team coach, not a club coach, it is not the same, sometimes there are many different philosophies that can work very well in international football, we do not have a philosophical journey like the Spanish one, but we have four World Cups and two European Championships.
“Soccer is amazing because it brings you closer to victory in different ways. If we think about the final of the World Cup, if we had reached the penalties… Who says that Argentina would not have won, even if they had played differently. The diversity of interpretations of the game is huge. And, yes, you would like one or the other.”
Young people need to be given a chance in Italy
Albertini suggested that the national team will struggle without a coach until the idea of ignoring young players is changed.
In the 2024/2025 season, only 1.9% of all minutes in Serie A were played by eligible Italian players under the age of 21 – the second lowest of the top 50 leagues worldwide. Only the United Arab Emirates Pro League owns a few.
“Do you know how many Spanish champions in the last World Cup played in the reserves?” he asked. “I think 22 out of 26. If we go back, in 2010, we are more than 20 again. In short, almost 90%. Rodri, for example, do you know how many games he played in the reserves (Villarreal B)? More than 40. We are talking about the Spanish captain, the Ballon d’Or…. That is the training process.
“Today there are few Italian footballers who are ready to compete in Serie A. Very few. Few clubs dare to bet on homegrown talents. So they will never be able to mature or reach the highest levels. The chances are diminishing.
“In Spain, a 17-year-old talent has opportunities to prove who he is. They immediately make him play with older players. They give him options. One after another. Today, in my country, there are no 17- or 18-year-olds in Serie A. Not even on the bench.”
