Italy discusses coaching position with Pep Guardiola in Barcelona
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 2:03 PM
Last updated Jul 20, 2026
Italy is reportedly in talks with Pep Guardiola regarding the national team coaching position. Sky Italia indicates that Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met Guardiola recently to discuss the role. This comes in the wake of Italy's failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, leading to significant changes in the coaching staff and federation leadership. The national team recently parted ways with coach Gennaro Gattuso, while Giovanni Malagò assumes the position of FIGC president. Maldini has been appointed as technical director. Sources mention that Guardiola's candidacy would represent a notable shift in strategy for Italy's soccer future.
- •Italy talks to Pep Guardiola about becoming national team coach.
- •Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met Guardiola in Barcelona.
- •Italy failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
- •Gennaro Gattuso has exited following Italy's recent failures.
- •Giovanni Malagò is the new FIGC president.
- 6:11 PMYahoo Sports — Italy interested in Pep Guardiola as men's national team coach
- 5:33 PMYahoo Sports — Guardiola in reported talks with Italy - would England come calling?
- 4:07 PMESPN — Source: Italy sound out Guardiola as next coach
- 2:03 PMYahoo Sports — Report: Italy talk to Guardiola about national team job
"Italy are reportedly after star coach Pep Guardiola to get the national team back on track after three missed World Cups. Sky Italia reported that new technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo visited Guardiola in Barcelona on the weekend to talk about a possible engagement.
"Italy have sounded out the possibility of appointing Pep Guardiola as their next coach after missing out on this summer's World Cup, a source told ESPN.
"Italy reached out to Pep Guardiola to express interest in hiring him to coach the men's national team. He coached Manchester City from 2016 to 2026.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 20, 2026, 6:11 PMItaly interested in Pep Guardiola as men's national team coach
Italy reached out to Pep Guardiola to express interest in hiring him to coach the men's national team. He coached Manchester City from 2016 to 2026.
- Yahoo SportsJul 20, 2026, 5:33 PMGuardiola in reported talks with Italy - would England come calling?
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, a fluent Italian speaker, is a contender for the vacant Italy head coach job.
- ESPNJul 20, 2026, 4:07 PMSource: Italy sound out Guardiola as next coach
Italy have sounded out the possibility of appointing Pep Guardiola as their next coach after missing out on this summer's World Cup, a source told ESPN.
- Yahoo SportsJul 20, 2026, 2:03 PMReport: Italy talk to Guardiola about national team job
Italy are reportedly after star coach Pep Guardiola to get the national team back on track after three missed World Cups. Sky Italia reported that new technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo visited Guardiola in Barcelona on the weekend to talk about a possible engagement.
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