The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reportedly made a stunning move to lure Pep Guardiola into international football, holding high-level talks with the former Manchester City manager over becoming the next head coach of the Italy national team.
According to Sky Italia, the federation’s technical director, Paolo Maldini, and adviser Leonardo travelled to Barcelona for a three-day meeting with Guardiola in an ambitious bid to convince one of football’s most successful managers to take charge of the four-time world champions.
The meeting is said to have focused on Italy’s long-term vision for rebuilding the national team following another disappointing chapter in its recent history.
The FIGC is searching for a new coach after the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, with officials determined to restore the Azzurri to the summit of world football.
The appointment of Maldini and Leonardo forms part of a wider restructuring within the federation after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup setback that has triggered widespread calls for sweeping reforms.
Guardiola has now emerged as the federation’s dream candidate to spearhead that rebuilding process.
While discussions have reportedly taken place, it remains unclear whether Guardiola is willing to accept the offer.
The Spaniard recently ended a glittering 10-year spell at Manchester City, where he transformed the club into one of Europe’s dominant forces.
During his decade in England, Guardiola won 20 major trophies, including multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, while recording an impressive 70.8 per cent win rate.
Despite his remarkable success, Guardiola has previously stated that he intends to step away from football for a while, explaining that he wants to spend more time with his family before taking on another managerial challenge.
Those comments have cast uncertainty over whether he is ready to immediately return to the dugout.
With Guardiola’s decision still unknown, the FIGC is keeping its options open.
Former European Championship-winning coach Roberto Mancini remains one of the leading contenders for the role, while former Juventus and AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo has also been linked with the vacancy.
However, Guardiola is widely regarded as the federation’s preferred choice because of his tactical brilliance, winning mentality and ability to rebuild teams over the long term.
Whoever takes over the Italy job will inherit one of the biggest rebuilding projects in international football.
The Azzurri are desperate to end years of inconsistency and return to competing for major honours after missing three successive FIFA World Cups—an unprecedented decline for one of football’s traditional powerhouses.
Should Guardiola accept the challenge, it would mark his first venture into international management and one of the most significant coaching appointments in recent football history.
For now, Italian football fans can only wait to see whether the federation’s bold approach in Barcelona will persuade the legendary Spaniard to begin a new chapter with the Azzurri.
