Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have presented a comprehensive proposal to Pep Guardiola aimed at convincing him to become the next manager of the Italian national team, according to reports in Italy. The pair travelled to Barcelona over the weekend to discuss the opportunity with the Manchester City manager.
Guardiola, currently 55, is one of the most decorated managers in football history, having secured numerous league titles and Champions League trophies with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. While the proposal has been described as ‘interesting’ by sources close to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Guardiola has taken time to consider the offer, reportedly due to his desire to spend more time with his family.
The Italian delegation attempted to address this concern by outlining a structure that would allow Guardiola to delegate responsibilities to a trusted network of scouts and collaborators. This would enable him to maintain a significant role in the national team setup while minimizing the time commitment required for extensive travel and match attendance, a financially significant undertaking for the FIGC. However, Guardiola is known for his hands-on approach and passion for the game, preferring to personally evaluate players and tactics.
Beyond the managerial role itself, Maldini and Leonardo also presented a vision for a broader overhaul of the Italian football system. This included potential involvement in selecting the next manager for the Italy Under-21 team, with the intention of developing a coach aligned with Guardiola’s philosophy who could eventually transition to the senior national team. Despite the allure of such a project, Guardiola has a reputation for politely declining offers. The FIGC president, Giovanni Malagò, is hoping for a decision by the end of the week, but Guardiola has requested until Sunday to consider the proposal. Malagò indicated that exceptions regarding Guardiola’s salary would be considered, acknowledging the prestige of the position.
