Guardiola in talks to become Italy head coach

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has stepped up its search for a new national team coach by holding talks with Pep Guardiola, as the four-time FIFA World Cup winners attempt to rebuild following their failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

According to reports from Italy, newly appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona for a series of meetings with Guardiola, outlining a long-term vision aimed at restoring Italy to the summit of world football.

While the former Manchester City manager has yet to indicate whether he will accept the role, the federation is making a determined effort to secure one of the game's most decorated coaches.

Guardiola, 55, is currently without a club after ending a remarkable 10-year spell at Manchester City.

During his time at the Etihad Stadium, he won 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League crowns, two FA Cups, four League Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and four FA Community Shields, compiling a win percentage of more than 70 percent.

Widely regarded as one of football's greatest managers, Guardiola began his coaching career with Barcelona B before taking charge of Barcelona’s first team in 2008.

He revolutionised modern football, winning 14 trophies in four seasons, including three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns.

He later guided Bayern Munich to three consecutive Bundesliga titles before enjoying unprecedented domestic success at Manchester City, where his possession-based philosophy transformed English football.

As a player, Guardiola was a gifted defensive midfielder who came through Barcelona's famed La Masia academy.

He made more than 380 appearances for the Catalan club, winning six La Liga titles, the 1992 European Cup, two Copa del Rey trophies and an Olympic gold medal with Spain at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

He also represented Brescia, Roma, Al-Ahli and Dorados before retiring in 2006.

Italy’s pursuit of Guardiola reflects the scale of the crisis facing one of international football’s most successful nations.

The Azzurri have won the FIFA World Cup four times—in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006—and lifted the UEFA European Championship in 1968 and 2020 (played in 2021).

They have finished World Cup runners-up twice (1970 and 1994) and claimed third place in 1990, while also finishing runners-up at the European Championship in 2000 and 2012.

Despite that illustrious history, Italy has failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, prompting sweeping reforms within the federation.

Officials believe Guardiola’s tactical innovation, winning mentality and proven ability to develop players make him the ideal candidate to restore Italy’s competitiveness ahead of Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The national team’s rich coaching history includes Vittorio Pozzo, who guided Italy to back-to-back World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938 as well as Olympic gold in 1936.

Ferruccio Valcareggi led Italy to the 1968 European Championship and the 1970 World Cup final, while Enzo Bearzot masterminded the country’s memorable 1982 World Cup triumph.

Marcello Lippi added a fourth world title in Germany in 2006, and Roberto Mancini ended a 53-year wait for European Championship glory by leading the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title.

Other prominent Italy coaches include Arrigo Sacchi, who guided the team to the 1994 World Cup final, Cesare Prandelli, runner-up at Euro 2012, Antonio Conte, who reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, Gian Piero Ventura and Roberto Donadoni, both of whom failed to secure major honours, Luciano Spalletti, and most recently Gennaro Gattuso, whose tenure ended after Italy’s latest World Cup qualification disappointment.

Guardiola has previously indicated that international football appeals to him because it offers a different challenge from club management and a healthier work-life balance.

After leaving Manchester City, he said he intended to take a break to spend more time with his family, but also admitted that coaching a national team would interest him in the future