Italian FA officials meet Pep Guardiola in Barcelo...

By Bilal Ahmed — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

Italian FA Pursues Guardiola

Officials from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have reportedly met with Pep Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the possibility of him becoming the next manager of the Italian national team. This development comes as Italy seeks a permanent boss following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation. The national team has been without a permanent manager since failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, with Silvio Baldini currently serving in a caretaker capacity.

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, key figures in the Italian soccer establishment, spent the weekend in Barcelona, according to reports. Their mission was to convince Guardiola, who recently concluded his tenure at Manchester City, to take on the role. Images of the pair circulating online contributed to the story being pieced together by various media outlets.

Guardiola, now a free agent, has previously expressed interest in international football management. His strong ties to Italy and the country’s rich footballing heritage are believed to have encouraged Maldini and Leonardo to explore this opportunity. Reports suggest that the discussions involved conversations and an exchange of ideas regarding the potential move.

Guardiola’s Stance and Italy’s Project

While the Italian FA has made a concrete attempt to sign Guardiola, his immediate intentions suggest a desire for a hiatus from football. He has been quoted as saying he does not feel mentally ready to return to management, stating, “I need to feel that I miss it, and right now I don’t.” He added that he started coaching at a young age and everything in his life has been connected to football, and now he wants to discover life and be happy doing things unrelated to the sport.

Despite Guardiola’s current inclination for a break, the Italian FA has presented him with a detailed project for the national team. This project, which aims to build with specific ideas, will proceed regardless of Guardiola’s decision. Italy is reportedly anticipating a response from Guardiola this week, which will influence whether they pursue other candidates for the managerial position.

Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian Football Federation, has urged patience regarding the search for a new coach. He praised the involvement of Maldini and Leonardo, noting that it took him two weeks to bring them on board due to their serious approach and interest in the project’s details. Malagò indicated that there is no disagreement among the three key figures and that more information would be available in a few days, hinting that the list of candidates might extend beyond names like Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo.

Broader Managerial Landscape

Guardiola’s name has also been linked to the England managerial position, with bookmakers reportedly listing him as a favourite to succeed Thomas Tuchel. This speculation arose after England’s World Cup performance, where Tuchel’s tactics drew criticism following a loss to Argentina. The Football Association (FA) is expected to review Tuchel’s performance and the tournament as a whole.

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Reports from 2026 indicate that Guardiola had a verbal agreement to become England manager in 2024 before ultimately extending his contract with Manchester City. Following Guardiola’s decision to remain at City, the FA then turned to Thomas Tuchel. The current situation with Guardiola and the Italian FA adds another layer to the ongoing discussions about top managerial roles in international football.

For now, Guardiola remains a highly sought-after candidate, with the meeting in Barcelona highlighting the Italian FA’s ambition. His respect for Maldini and Leonardo is well-known, with a notable example being his dedication of the Champions League trophy to Maldini in May 2009 after winning it with Barcelona.