The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni Malagò, admitted that he is in talks with Pep Guardiola to assume the technical direction of the Italian national team, although he warned that it is not certain that the operation will come to fruition.
The leader also stated that the federation would be willing to make an exception in budgetary matters. “Exceptions have been made that, for example, concern the name that is so present these days: Pep Guardiola,” he said in Vivavocea program about sports and social news in Italy.
Malagò acknowledged that Guardiola is one of the options being analyzed by the federation, although he insisted that “it is not said that the operation will go ahead.”
“It was important and correct to open a dialogue and keep it alive, but that should not be interpreted as a lack of consideration for the other candidates,” he added.
The president of the FIGC assured that the decision on the replacement of Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned more than three months ago after failing to qualify Italy for the World Cup, will be announced in the coming days.
In addition to Guardiola, Malagò confirmed that among the candidates are Roberto Mancini, the last coach who won a title with the Italian team by winning Euro 2020 – played in 2021 – and Andrea Pirlo, although he specified that they are not the only candidates for the position.
Malagò, who took office a month ago after the crisis caused by Italy’s absence from the World Cup for the third consecutive edition, assured that the list of candidates could include an unexpected name. “There may be a surprise. Wait a few more days and you will know everything,” he concluded.
During the weekend, the technical director of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Paolo Maldini, and his advisor Leonardo met with Guardiola to evaluate the possibility of the Spanish coach assuming the position of Italy coach, although the negotiation is complicated, according to local media.