Story perspectives

Italy’s Football Federation Explores Guardiola, Cites Salary Barrier

7/21/2026

Summary

FIGC Meets Guardiola

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) met Pep Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the vacant national team coach role.
President Giovanni Malagò said the search also includes Roberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Conte.
Technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to outline the plan.
Guardiola said he is on sabbatical and not ready to coach.
He noted his €25 million per-season salary would exceed the FIGC’s 2026 budget.

Summary

Guardiola Italy Offer

Pep Guardiola (coach) would be second non-Italian to manage Italy since the 1960s if he accepts.
Italy, 15th in FIFA rankings, will play Belgium in the Nations League on 25 September.
The Netherlands, England and Brazil have also approached Guardiola’s camp about their national-team jobs.
Guardiola, 55, speaks Italian and played 29 Serie A games for Brescia and Roma (2001-2003).
City Football Group will not block a national-team appointment for Guardiola.

History

Historical Context

In December 2007 the English FA broke a seven-decade habit of domestic coaches by hiring Italian Fabio Capello on a four-and-a-half-year, £6 million-a-year contract, the federation’s most expensive deal, and sparked a broader debate about the cost of hiring high-profile foreign managers. His foreign appointment followed Sven-Göran Eriksson’s 2001 precedent and led England to the 2010 World Cup round of 16.

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FIGC Meets Guardiola

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) met Pep Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the vacant national team coach role.
President Giovanni Malagò said the search also includes Roberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Conte.
Technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to outline the plan.
Guardiola said he is on sabbatical and not ready to coach.
He noted his €25 million per-season salary would exceed the FIGC’s 2026 budget.

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