Pep Guardiola has been offered a chance to get back on the sideline just months after he ended 10 trophy laden years at Manchester City.
The Spanish tactician has reportedly held talks with the Italy national team.
Guardiola has previously said he wants to manage a national team one day, and reportedly verbally agreed to become Sir Gareth Southgate’s replacement as England boss, only to change his mind.
However, he has been offered the chance to take over of the biggest jobs in international football.
Pep Guardiola reacts after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2026. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
According to reports, Italian Football Federation’s recently appointed technical director and AC Milan great Paolo Maldini reportedly flew to Barcelona to hold talks with Guardiola.
Reports claim Maldini was joined by special advisor to the IFF Leonardo, who also spoke with Guardiola.
Italy are on the lookout for a new manager following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso in April.
Gattuso was allowed to leave after Italy failed to secure qualification for the World Cup despite the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.
The legendary midfielder’s departure formed part of a wider restructure that also witnessed Gabriele Gravina step down as the nation’s football federation president and goalkeeping icon Gianluigi Buffon relinquish his role as the national side’s delegation head.
Ex-City manager Roberto Mancini has also been linked with a return to the position, five years after winning Euro 2020 with the four-time World Cup winners.
It’s now left to be seen if Mancini will be shunned despite his connection with Italian football. Meanwhile, Guardiola spent two years in Italy as a player for Brescia and Roma between 2001 and 2003.
