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Italy Confirms Pep Guardiola Talks for Vacant Coach Job

7/22/2026

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Summary

Malagò Courts Guardiola

Italy federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed talks with Pep Guardiola for the vacant Italy head coach role.
Malagò said financial exceptions could be made, noting Guardiola’s £20 million per-year Manchester City salary versus Gattuso’s £680,000 contract.
Italy have been coachless since Gattuso quit in April after the Azzurri missed the World Cup and lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.

Summary

Guardiola Gains Support

La Gazzetta poll of 700 fans gave Pep Guardiola 34% support as first-choice Italy coach, rising to 40% among avid followers.
Same survey found 61% view Paolo Maldini’s technical director role positively, with 21% calling it “very positive.”
Guardiola says he is on sabbatical and would become the second non-Italian Azzurri coach and the first foreign manager since the 1960s if he accepted.

History

Historical Context

After a 3–0 loss to Norway in June 2025, Italy dismissed Spalletti and installed Gattuso, whose 5–0 debut against Estonia raised hopes. The 1949 arrival of Hungarian refugee László Kubala marked an early foreign influence on Italian football. Consecutive World-Cup failures in 2022 and 2026 now fuel calls for a manager such as Pep Guardiola.

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Malagò Courts Guardiola

Italy federation president Giovanni Malagò confirmed talks with Pep Guardiola for the vacant Italy head coach role.
Malagò said financial exceptions could be made, noting Guardiola’s £20 million per-year Manchester City salary versus Gattuso’s £680,000 contract.
Italy have been coachless since Gattuso quit in April after the Azzurri missed the World Cup and lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.

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