Italy could make financial 'exceptions' for Guardiola

What the report says

Nile Post, citing BBC Sport, reported that Pep Guardiola has held discussions over the vacant Italy men’s national team job, with Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago confirming contact and suggesting that financial flexibility could be considered for a candidate of his stature. The report says Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after a decade in England that included six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and a Champions League triumph.

Italy are seeking a new head coach after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April following the national team’s failure to reach a third consecutive World Cup, according to the report. Sky Italia was credited with first reporting the contact between the FIGC and Guardiola, while Malago later told Italian sports platform Cronache di spogliatoio that salary-related “exceptions” may be possible, though he cautioned that no appointment was assured.

The report also identifies Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo as candidates under consideration. Mancini previously led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, while Pirlo, the former Italy midfielder, is currently managing Dubai United. Malago indicated the list is broader than those names, saying the federation is looking at a certain profile of coach.

Guardiola has not coached in Italy, but the report notes he speaks Italian and played in Serie A between 2001 and 2003 with Brescia and Roma. If appointed, he would be an unusual choice in Italy’s history, as the men’s national team has almost always been led by Italians, with only rare exceptions involving foreign coaches or shared technical arrangements.