Pep Guardiola has declined the opportunity to take the Italy national team head coach role.
The Italian Football Federation’s (FICG) technical director Paolo Maldini and the head of the federation Giovanni Malago confirmed this week that the FICG had held talks with Guardiola over the possibility of succeeding Gennaro Gattuso, who left the position in April after Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
However, sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said the conversations with the former Manchester City manager had not advanced and he had turned down the opportunity.
Maldini had also said the FICG had spoken to Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti about the role, citing the FICG’s “ambitious project” as it targeted two of the world’s most decorated coaches. Ancelotti has a contract with Brazil through to 2030. The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) was approached by The Athletic for comment.
Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 campaign after 10 seasons with the club. He won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups and the Champions League in 2023.
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He has never managed at international level, having enjoyed successful spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The Athletic reported there was a verbal agreement for Guardiola to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager in 2024, before he opted to renew at City.
Italy missed out on a place at the 2026 World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the European play-offs, resulting in both Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina leaving their positions. Former Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon also left his role as the FIGC’s head of delegation.
It was the third time in a row that Italy, four-time world champions, had failed to qualify for the World Cup. The side have not progressed past the group stages since winning the competition in 2006, but won the 2020 European Championship under Roberto Mancini.
Speaking to reporters following an FIGC visit to Serie A headquarters on Thursday, Maldini said: “Guardiola? We can’t confirm anything yet — you’ve identified one of our targets, but we’ve also spoken with Ancelotti.
“It seemed right to start with the best in the world, but we need to verify their overall availability.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility and pressure; there’s an ambitious project here. It’s a call to arms — when Italy calls, it’s hard to say no.”
