Italy confirm Ancelotti approach before Guardiola

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Italy’s football federation spoke with Carlo Ancelotti about taking over the men’s national team before beginning discussions with Pep Guardiola. The update came from FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini, who said at a news conference that the federation had first contacted Ancelotti because it wanted to start with coaches it regarded as among the world’s best.

Italy are looking for a new head coach after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April, following the Azzurri’s failure to reach a third consecutive World Cup. Maldini said the federation would like to make an appointment by the end of the week, but stressed that choosing the right candidate was more important than meeting that timeline.

Ancelotti, a former Italy international and Maldini’s former team-mate at AC Milan, is currently managing Brazil. BBC Sport notes that he took that role in 2025 and extended his deal in May through the 2030 World Cup. Brazil’s federation has said he will stay on despite a last-16 World Cup defeat to Norway.

Guardiola is also in the frame after leaving Manchester City this summer following 10 years in charge. FIGC president Giovanni Malago previously said Italy had held talks with him and could make financial “exceptions” over salary. BBC Sport cited La Gazzetta dello Sport as reporting Guardiola wanted €20m a year, though Maldini said there was no update on that claim. Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo have also been linked with the vacancy.