Pep Guardiola has emerged as a real target for Italy as the Italian Football Federation looks to rebuild after a run of results that left the national team without a clear direction and missing the World Cup for a third consecutive cycle. The scale of this failure has moved the conversation beyond routine appointments into something more ambitious, with Guardiola’s name now part of internal discussions about how far the reset should go.
Why Guardiola joins the conversation
Things quickly changed for the Azzurri after a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed they had failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, extending their absence since 2014. Gattuso is no longer in charge of the team, and Football Association Chairman Gravina and delegation leader Buffon have also stepped down, leaving the national team without a clear long-term direction.
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, leaves the headquarters of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in Rome on Thursday, April 2, 2026, after resigning due to political pressure after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse Photo credit: Associated Press)
Guardiola’s name has come to light as part of an attempt to make a clean break with the situation of recent years, with reports suggesting the move could change the mood in Italian football, even if the idea itself is close to the edge of a realistically achievable goal.
What is said about possible approaches?
There is also an expectation within the federation that this opportunity must be explored. Gazzetta dello Sport There are reports that officials feel “it is their duty to contact” Guardiola, with the same report also suggesting Guardiola would be “happy to listen” if an offer were made, even if there is no certainty beyond that.
Italian players react during the penalty shootout between Bosnia and Italy during the World Cup qualifying play-off final in Zenica, Bosnia, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Any appointment is historic. Guardiola becomes the second foreign manager to take charge of Italy and the first since Argentine-born coach Helenio Herrera, who held the position from 1966 to 1967.
Guardiola’s position Manchester City
At Manchester City, Guardiola’s contract will last until 2027 after a two-year extension in November 2024, and his current focus is on the end of this season.City are chasing an eighth Premier League title in ten seasons, with the current season running from 2014/15 to 2023/24, and are also preparing for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley. Guardiola has won more than 40 trophies during a coaching career that also includes Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and he could still win more trophies this season. Only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more trophies with 49 titles in a longer career. That record puts Guardiola in a position where the next step in his career is entirely up to him, with City expected to accept whatever choice he makes after nearly a decade of success.
Financial realities and possible solutions
The biggest obstacle to any move is finances. spanish media brand report Guardiola earns around 24.8 million euros at Manchester City, a figure that far exceeds the Italian Football Federation’s recent structure, with Roberto Mancini netting around 3 million euros after winning the European Cup. However, there is a precedent for bridging this gap. When Conte took over the national team in 2014, part of his wages were covered by sponsors, and a similar model could be considered again, with Puma, who have ties to Guardiola, considered a possible partner for such an arrangement. The idea is to build something around Guardiola, rather than simply appointing him and using his profile to reshape the national team’s image and performance.
Guardiola’s interest in international football and links with Italy
Guardiola has previously made it clear that he hopes to coach the national team at some point. In an interview with ESPN in 2021, he said: “I want to experience the World Cup, the European Cup, the Copa America, etc. I want to experience an important national team game. I don’t know when, five, ten or fifteen years from now, but I want to participate in the World Cup as a coach. To work in the national team, you have to be called up and employed, just like the club. I don’t know who wants me to be in the national team. “ Italy is no stranger to him. He has played in Serie A for Roma and Brescia, speaks Italian and has spoken of his admiration for Italian football, once replying “Why not?” when asked about the possibility of working there in 2018.
Support from within the game and succession planning
The idea has support within Italian football. Former defender Leonardo Bonucci told the Laureus World Sports Awards: “If there was a real desire to start over, I would start with Pep Guardiola because bringing in someone like him means a complete change from what happened in the past. “I think it’s very difficult, but now it costs nothing to achieve your dream.” If Guardiola leaves Manchester City, there is already a search for a replacement. Fabrizio Romano reports that Enzo Maresca is part of the club’s “clear plans”. Maresca, who worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before moving into management, is currently single after leaving Chelsea Football Club in January 2026, having won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
what happens next
Italy is expected to appoint a new federation president on June 22, a decision that could determine how quickly the process progresses and whether Guardiola is formally approached. The situation currently hinges on three factors: Italy’s intention to pursue a high-profile appointment, the financial structure needed to make it feasible, and Guardiola’s own decision on whether the next stage of his career will be at club level or with the national team.
