Italy Holds Talks With Pep Guardiola Over Coaching Job

Italy's football federation has held talks with Pep Guardiola over the vacant national team coaching position, according to multiple reports, as the four-time world champions search for a new leader following Gennaro Gattuso's resignation. The discussions reportedly included meetings in Barcelona involving newly appointed technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo, who outlined the federation's plans for rebuilding the Azzurri after another unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign. No agreement has been announced, and the federation is expected to name its next coach in the coming days.

Guardiola, who recently concluded a highly successful spell at Manchester City, has previously indicated he intended to take a break from coaching. However, reports suggest the Italian federation views him as its preferred candidate because of his record of success at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, where he won numerous domestic league titles and multiple UEFA Champions League trophies. Other managers reported to be under consideration include Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte if efforts to appoint Guardiola are unsuccessful.