Italy Targets Pep Guardiola for Vacant Manager Role
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The Italian Football Federation has reached out to the Manchester City manager, though Guardiola reportedly seeks a hiatus.
The Italian Football Federation has contacted Pep Guardiola regarding the vacant head coach position for the men's national team, according to reporting from ESPN via Sportsnet.
While Italy has secured four World Cup titles historically, the team has failed to qualify for the last two tournaments. According to ESPN, the conversation with the 55-year-old Spaniard lasted "barely one minute," as Guardiola intends to take a break following his departure from Manchester City this summer. ESPN further reported that three other national teams have also contacted Guardiola.
Guardiola leaves Manchester City after a decade-long tenure that yielded 17 major trophies, including a Premier League-Champions League-FA Cup treble during the 2022-23 season. His tenure at City surpassed his time spent at both Bayern Munich (2013-16) and Barcelona (2008-12). Beyond the trophies, Sportsnet notes that Guardiola transformed English soccer by implementing a possession-based style—characterized by playing the ball out from the defense or goalkeeper—that was adopted by Premier League rivals and grassroots youth teams alike.