Italy makes financial ‘exceptions’ in bid to hire Pep Guardiola as coach

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing comments by Italian football federation chief Giovanni Malago to Cronache di Spogliatoio, reported that Italy has opened talks with Pep Guardiola about becoming coach of the men’s national team. Malago said the federation would be prepared to make a financial “exception” for Guardiola if he were appointed, while stressing that no agreement has been reached.

The vacancy comes at a difficult moment for Italian football. According to the report, Italy’s men have missed World Cup qualification for a third straight tournament despite the country’s four World Cup titles. The national side’s next listed fixture is a Nations League match against Belgium on September 25, adding urgency to the search for a new manager.

Guardiola, 55, left Manchester City at the end of last season after a highly successful decade that included six Premier League titles and a Champions League win. He also has experience in Italian football from his playing career, having spent time with Brescia and AS Roma between 2001 and 2003.

Al Jazeera reported that Italian media have also linked Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini with the role. Mancini previously led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, while Pirlo is another former Italy international. For now, Malago’s comments indicate exploratory talks with Guardiola rather than a confirmed appointment, but they show the federation is considering an unusually ambitious and potentially costly hire.