Italian FA president Giovanni Malago has confirmed talks with Pep Guardiola after the World Cup disaster

I Italy the national team also failed to enter the competition World Cupfalls to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA playoffs. It now operates under a reformed top division, the newly elected Italian Football Federation (FIGC). president Giovanni Malago confirmed that the coalition has started negotiations with him Pep Guardiola to take over as head coach of The Azzurri.

Speaking with an Italian program Live it up On June 22, Malago spoke about the search for a new manager, admitting that a financial accommodation may be needed to find the main goal, especially following reports of a recent meeting between the Italian management and the former manager of Manchester City: “An exception is made that, for example, concerns a name that exists these days: Pep Guardiola.“

Elected as president of the FIGC on June 22, Malago clarified that although financial flexibility alone will not guarantee the agreement, it marks an important step in the pursuit of their highest priority. At the weekend, Sporting Director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo traveled to Barcelona to meet Guardiola in persontrying to gauge his interest in leading the four-time world champions back to prominence.

Malagò added that despite opening a dialogue with Guardiola, the coalition is still in contact with other candidates. “This is in no way disrespectful to the other candidates, with whom negotiations have already begun, and adding another name will certainly not disrupt the process. There are also financial and budget considerations. In the short to medium term, to say that we will have to tighten our belts is an understatement,” Malago commented

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Manager, looks on during the farewell ceremony.

Italy’s options are still being considered for the 2030 World Cup cycle

Guardiola has maintained a steady pace since starting his managerial career at FC Barcelona in 2008, moving to Bayern Munich before completing his decade-long transition to Manchester City in June 2026. World Cupthere is still a strong possibility that he chooses to take a sabbatical before accepting his next project.

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Should Guardiola’s deal go through, former Azzurri manager Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to the Euro 2020 crown, and Andrea Pirlo remain the main domestic contenders. “When we check a particular profile, those words are suitable according to our criteria,” Malago commented when asked about other Italian candidates.

Resistance is growing in Italy for hiring a foreign manager

If appointed, Guardiola will follow a growing trend of senior managers taking on foreign national teams, echoing Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from Brazil and Thomas Tuchel’s appointment with England. However, the prospect of appointing a Spanish manager to lead the national team has met with controversy among Italian sports officials.

In interview no Corriere della Sera, Luciano Buonfigliothe president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and Malago’s successor in the organization, expressed strong opposition to the hiring of a non-Italian coach: “I don’t want to give advice to Giovanni Malago, who has started very well as the new president of the Italian Federation. What I am asking him is to appoint a coach for the Italian national team. Most Serie A managers are Italian. They are beautiful, professional, and a product of our culture. Why are you leaving yourself out?“

Buonfiglio pointed to his previous experience leading the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation (FICK), where he appointed the German head coach to mixed results. “He was talented, but he didn’t really make an effort to understand the Italian mind,” explained Buonfiglio.We arrived empty-handed, and much of the foundation work that had been built before his arrival was lost.“

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