FIGC prepared to push for Manchester City boss as Azzurri seek fresh direction
Italy national football team are preparing for sweeping changes after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, with Pep Guardiola emerging as the leading candidate to take charge of the national side, İdman.Biz reports.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian Football Federation is готов to explore every avenue to convince the Manchester City manager to accept the role. A formal approach is expected before the presidential election scheduled for 22 June, as the federation looks to reset its long-term strategy.
The overhaul follows a turbulent period within Italian football governance. After the departure of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, head coach Gennaro Gattuso has also stepped down, leaving the national team in search of both leadership and identity ahead of the next international cycle.
Guardiola, 55, remains under contract at Manchester City until June 2027, but his future in England has recently come under scrutiny. The Spaniard has previously expressed an ambition to manage at international level, and Italy represents familiar ground, having played for clubs such as AS Roma and Brescia Calcio during his career.
“I would like to experience the emotion of a World Cup or a European Championship,” Guardiola said in an earlier interview with ESPN, adding that any move would depend on interest from a national federation.
Spanish outlet Marca reports that finances could prove the main obstacle. Guardiola currently earns around €24.8 million per year, but the FIGC are believed to be exploring sponsorship-backed solutions, similar to the model used for Antonio Conte’s appointment in 2014.
