Italian Football Federation meets Pep Guardiola to discuss head coach role

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has engaged in discussions with Pep Guardiola regarding the head coach position for the national team. FIGC officials, including Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo, met with Guardiola over three days to outline their vision for the future of Italian football. The federation is prepared to make significant adjustments to their budget to secure his appointment, indicating their commitment to revitalising the national team.

Guardiola's potential role would extend beyond traditional coaching responsibilities, as the FIGC envisions him as a central figure in a comprehensive 'Azzurro project'. This initiative aims to rebuild Italian football following the national team's failure to qualify for the recent World Cup. The discussions highlighted the need for a complete overhaul of the national setup, encompassing all levels of the national teams, not just the senior squad.

While Guardiola is currently a free agent after leaving Manchester City, he previously expressed a desire to take a break from football to spend time with family. His departure from City followed a decade of success, during which he won numerous trophies and achieved a high win ratio. Despite his past intentions to step back, the allure of international management may present a unique opportunity for him.

Other candidates for the head coach role include Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo, as the FIGC seeks to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after the team's World Cup qualification failure. The federation's recent restructuring aims to address the challenges faced by Italian football, especially after not qualifying for the last three major tournaments since winning the European Championship in 2021.

via Sky Sports