Financial exceptions could be made for Guardiola - Italian FA

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Pep Guardiola has held discussions about becoming the next head coach of Italy, according to Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Football Federation. The talks come after Guardiola left Manchester City this summer following a decade in England, while Italy are seeking a new manager after Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April.

Malago told Italian digital sports platform Cronache di spogliatoio that financial exceptions could be considered for a candidate of Guardiola’s stature, while also cautioning that no appointment is guaranteed. BBC Sport said it has asked the Italian Football Federation for comment. Sky Italia had earlier reported contact between the federation and Guardiola, who is 55.

Guardiola’s City tenure included six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League. He previously enjoyed major success with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Although he has never coached in Italy, he speaks Italian and played in Serie A between 2001 and 2003, with spells at Brescia and Roma.

BBC Sport also reports that former Manchester City and Italy manager Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, and Andrea Pirlo, now managing Dubai United, are among the names being considered. Malago indicated the shortlist is not limited to those three. The potential appointment would be notable because Italy’s men’s national team has almost always been led by Italian coaches, with only rare exceptions involving foreign managers in past decades.