Pep Guardiola is a candidate to become the next manager of the Italy national team, according to reports in Italy confirmed by Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago. The former Manchester City manager met with Italy’s technical director duo, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, last weekend to discuss the possibility of taking over the role.
Italy have been without a permanent manager since Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation in April, and failed to qualify for the third consecutive World Cup. Several names, including Roberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Conte, had been linked with the position before Guardiola emerged as a potential candidate. The Italian Federation appears willing to make financial accommodations to attract the highly-decorated coach.
Guardiola recently concluded a decade at Manchester City, where he won 20 major trophies and achieved a 70% win rate. While he enjoyed significant success with a consistently high-caliber squad in club football, the prospect of managing a national team presents a different challenge. The timeframe for implementing tactical principles is typically shorter with national sides, and the current Italy squad is undergoing a period of rebuilding.
Guardiola previously played for Italian clubs Brescia and Roma between 2001 and 2003. Despite questions about his suitability for international management, Malago stated that exceptions are being made due to Guardiola’s stature, though he cautioned that a deal is not yet finalized. The Italian Football Federation is keen to open and maintain dialogue with the Spaniard. Italy’s next competitive fixture is a Nations League match against Belgium in late September, adding urgency to the search for a new manager.
Whether Guardiola is prepared to embark on a long-term project with a team in transition remains to be seen. The rebuilding process could require considerable patience, a quality he demonstrated early in his managerial career with Barcelona’s reserve team. Successfully revitalizing the four-time World Champions would represent a significant challenge, and potentially the greatest of his illustrious career.
