In a bold move signaling a new era for Italian football, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malagò has officially confirmed that discussions are underway with highly decorated Spanish coach Pep Guardiola regarding the vacant national team coaching position.
The announcement on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, sends ripples through the football world, highlighting Italy’s determination to revive their fortunes after a period of significant international disappointment.
Guardiola, 55, who departed Manchester City in May 2026 after a hugely successful decade at the helm, is currently on a sabbatical from football management. Malagò admitted that securing the services of a coach of Guardiola’s stature would present considerable financial challenges, but stressed the federation’s readiness to make ‘exceptions’ to their usual budgetary constraints.
The Quest for Revival
The pursuit of Guardiola comes at a critical juncture for the Azzurri. Italy famously failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022, and most recently, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with their latest elimination coming at the hands of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off match. This unprecedented run of failures led to the departure of former head coach Gennaro Gattuso in April, leaving the national team manager role open.
New national teams technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo reportedly flew to Barcelona over the weekend (July 19-20, 2026) to hold initial talks with Guardiola. Their mission is clear: to convince the Catalan tactician to spearhead Italy’s rebuilding process with an eye towards the 2030 World Cup.
‘There are certain financial aspects to be considered, and it’s an understatement to say we’d have to grit our teeth for this,’ Malagò stated in an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio and Gazzetta dello Sport. ‘Some exceptions have been made, for example exceptions that regard the name making such waves at the moment: Pep Guardiola.’
Guardiola’s Sabbatical and Other Candidates
Guardiola’s current sabbatical, coupled with his advisory role within the City Football Group, represents a significant hurdle for the FIGC. He has publicly expressed a desire to take time away from the intensity of club management. However, his strong ties to Italy, having played for Brescia and Roma, might prove to be a compelling factor.
Recognizing the difficulty of landing their top target, the FIGC is also considering a list of prominent Italian coaches as backup options. Both former Italy manager Roberto Mancini, who led the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory, and Andrea Pirlo have been identified as potential candidates if negotiations with Guardiola do not materialize.
Italy, currently ranked 15th in the FIFA rankings as of July 20, 2026, aims to swiftly appoint a new head coach to prepare the squad for the upcoming September FIFA window. The federation’s bold pursuit of Guardiola underscores the urgent need for a transformative figure to guide the national team back to football’s elite stage and restore national pride.