Guardiola in Talks for Italy National Team Head Coach Role

Pep Guardiola has held talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) about potentially becoming the next head coach of the Italy national team, as confirmed by federation president Giovanni Malago. This consideration follows Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup and the exit of Gennaro Gattuso as head coach in April.

Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer after a successful decade, is being considered alongside other candidates such as former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and ex-Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Malago mentioned that the federation could make financial exceptions to attract a coach of Guardiola's stature, although he cautioned that there is no guarantee of an agreement.

Guardiola, who has never managed in Italy but speaks fluent Italian and played in Serie A, would return to management shortly after his tenure at Manchester City, where he expressed feeling physically and mentally exhausted.