Pep Guardiola is in talks about changing into the following Italy coach, with the president of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) revealing that monetary “exceptions” are being made to attempt to safe a deal.
Guardiola introduced the curtain down on a 10-year spell as Manchester Metropolis supervisor in Might.
The previous Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has by no means managed a nationwide group, although he reportedly had an settlement with England in 2024 earlier than altering his thoughts.
Italy are on the lookout for a brand new coach after lacking out on a 3rd successive World Cup, the Azzurri failing to qualify for the 2026 event after dropping a play-off last to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.
One other former Metropolis supervisor, Roberto Mancini, can also be within the working. Mancini led Italy to glory in Euro 2020. In the meantime, former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is into account regardless of his teaching profession, which has seen spells with Juventus and Sampdoria, that includes little success thus far.
Guardiola is the standout title, however FIGC president Giovanni Malago careworn that him succeeding Gennaro Gattuso is not any assure.
Malago advised Cronache di Spogliatoio: “It’s not a provided that this can come to fruition, however I imagine it was proper and essential to open a dialogue and maintain it alive.
“This [talks with Guardiola] is on no account an absence of respect in the direction of different candidates, with whom discussions have already begun, and including one other title would under no circumstances detract from the method.
“There are additionally monetary and budgetary concerns. Within the quick to medium time period, to say that we’ll should tighten our belts is an understatement. Nevertheless, some exceptions have been made, which can relate to the title that’s so dominant in the meanwhile: Pep Guardiola.”
Requested if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo are the one candidates for the vacant position, Malago replied: “Completely not. We take into consideration a sure profile and positively these names fall into that class.”
Having watched Spain win the 2026 World Cup from afar, Italy will return to motion in September once they face Belgium within the UEFA Nations League. The Azzurri have been drawn in a troublesome group that additionally options France and Turkey.
