Italy lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-off final, missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time. In the two previous play-off attempts, the four-time world champions were defeated by lower-ranked Sweden and North Macedonia. Consequently, coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina, and team manager Gianluigi Buffon all resigned.

AC Milan technical director, Paolo Maldini, on the coaching bench before the match against Salernitana in Serie A at Stadio Arechi, Salerno, Italy on 4/1/2023. *Reuters*

Following this, the FIGC appointed legend Paolo Maldini as Technical Director and Leonardo as an Advisor on a four-year contract, with an eye on the World Cup 2030. The duo's current key task is to find a new head coach for the national team, with the ideal choice being Guardiola, who is currently available after leaving Man City.

According to Sky Sport Italy, the two FIGC officials flew to Barcelona to meet directly with Guardiola last weekend. The specific details of the discussions have not been disclosed, but this move indicates that the FIGC has made a concrete offer to the Spanish tactician.

Initially, Guardiola's earnings were seen as an obstacle, making this deal seem almost impossible. While managing Man City, his salary was around 26,8 million USD annually before tax, a figure far exceeding what Italian football typically affords.

In comparison, national team coaches in Italy have earned significantly less in recent years. Roberto Mancini had the highest salary after winning Euro 2020, approximately 3,3 million USD. His successor, Luciano Spalletti, received about 3,1 million USD, Giampiero Ventura 1,6 million USD, while Gennaro Gattuso reportedly earned 850.000 USD for his recent brief tenure.

However, according to Sky Sport Italy, money is not the pivotal issue in these negotiations. Guardiola is reportedly interested in a comprehensive project aimed at reforming Italian football, rather than solely focusing on personal remuneration. The former Barcelona and Man City coach has not closed the door on the FIGC. A decision from all parties is expected in the coming days.

Coach Pep Guardiola discusses with midfielder Bernardo Silva during a water break in the Man City versus Aston Villa match at Etihad Stadium, final round of the Premier League on 24/5/2026. *AFP*

The proposed plan has a four-year term, aiming for the World Cup 2030, with key milestones including the Nations League 2026-2027 and Euro 2028. The project's core focus is on youth player development, building a training system, and promoting talent from youth national teams to the senior squad.

FIGC President Giovanni Malago affirmed that the selection process for the new head coach is nearing its conclusion and dismissed reports of disagreements with Maldini and Leonardo. Malago emphasized that choosing a new coach is not solely based on professional qualifications but also heavily depends on the federation's financial capacity. The FIGC President mentioned that the current budget only contains funds equivalent to Gennaro Gattuso's unpaid salary, "far from what a major star might desire." This statement is believed to allude to Guardiola or Antonio Conte, top coaches with high earning potential.

According to Malago, such a significant investment might only be feasible from the 2027 fiscal year. However, if Guardiola is genuinely more interested in Italy's project than financial compensation, the FIGC will need to re-evaluate its financial approach.

For Malago, the most important thing is not to recruit a big name, but to change how Italian football operates. "In the final, there were two coaches, Lionel Scaloni and De la Fuente," he said, referring to the World Cup 2026 final. "Scaloni did not have an extraordinary track record beforehand but created an incredible journey. De la Fuente came up through the youth development system. Regardless of who it is, we must fix the organization and methods so that Italian players play more and are properly valued."

This perspective partly explains why the FIGC is targeting Guardiola. The Spanish tactician is not only renowned for his titles but also highly regarded for his ability to build systems, develop young players, and create a consistent playing philosophy.

Guardiola (center) with Gabriel Batistuta (right) and Vincenzo Montella at AS Roma. *X/The Pep*

Guardiola is no stranger to Italian football. As a player, he played for Brescia and Roma, establishing a special relationship with coach Carlo Mazzone at Brescia. The Spanish tactician also has a long-standing friendship with Maldini. After winning the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, Guardiola paid special tribute to the Milan legend when Maldini announced his retirement.

Born in 1971, the coach is also fluent in Italian and frequently returns to the country for holidays. He maintains contact with many former teammates, coaches, and friends within Italian football circles.

Guardiola himself has often expressed a desire to manage a national team. In 2021, he told ESPN, "I want to have the experience of a World Cup, Euro, or Copa America. I want to participate in a major national team tournament. I don't know when, maybe 5, 10, or 15 years from now, but I want it." He also left open the possibility of working in Italy as early as 2018 with the concise remark: "Why not?"

Guardiola's emergence has changed the landscape of a race previously thought to revolve solely around Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, and Andrea Pirlo. While these two candidates were more realistic financial options, the FIGC's approach to Guardiola indicates that Maldini and Leonardo are aiming for a comprehensive overhaul.

The final decision is expected to be announced in the coming days. If successful, bringing Guardiola in to manage could become one of the most ambitious deals in Italian football history, not only to regain its standing on the field but also to transform how players are developed and how the national football system operates.

Hong Duy (according to Football Italy)