Pep Guardiola has engaged in a conversation about a possible return to management after leaving Manchester City earlier in the summer with the Catalan coach being approached over a new role
13:33, 20 Jul 2026Updated 13:58, 20 Jul 2026
Pep Guardiola has been linked to the Italy national team job(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
The Italian Football Federation has met with Pep Guardiola in order to convince him to take over as their national team head coach. Reports in Italy claim that Paolo Maldini, the nation’s new technical director, and his advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to speak to the Catalan coach.
Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo are also said to be under consideration for the role. There may be a small hurdle to landing Guardiola, however.
When Guardiola was linked to the England job after his City exit, it was understood that it would not be straightforward for Guardiola to enter the running for a vacancy if it arose. After deciding to leave the Etihad, he accepted a role within the City Football Group to advise the likes of Palermo, Lommel and Troyes.
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The Manchester Evening News understands that job prevents him from taking another coaching position, though it is believed City’s owners would be unlikely to stand in his way.
“As we celebrate the past, we are also very happy to know that Pep will stay with the group and we will be able to use his knowledge and experience in so many of our other clubs to help managers and players,” said City CEO Ferran Soriano after Guardiola’s departure. “We will forever be grateful to Pep and cherish so many unforgettable memories. He is a City legend… forever.”
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup despite the tournament being expanded to 48 teams. Gennaro Gattuso made his exit in April after the Azzurri failed to overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off clash.
Pep Guardiola left Manchester City this summer(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Gattuso’s exit was part of an overhaul that also saw Gabriele Gravina resign as the country’s football federation president and goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon resign as the national team’s delegation head.
Guardiola spent time in Italy during his playing career, enjoying a spell at Roma, sandwiched between two stints with Brescia. He made just 29 appearances across three seasons, however.
The City icon spent a decade in Manchester, with more than half of his coaching career spent at the Etihad. Guardiola won six Premier League titles during his time managing in the division.
There have also been calls for Guardiola to take over Brazil after they exited the World Cup at the round of 16 stage. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were defeated by Erling Haaland’s Norway.
