Italian football officials have held discussions with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti regarding the head coach position for the national team.
Selecting a high-profile manager is critical for the Azzurri as the federation seeks a clear technical direction to revitalize its international standing. The search involves some of the most successful coaches in modern football history, signaling an ambition to return to the top of the global game.
During a press conference held July 23 [1] at the Lega Serie A assembly in Milan, senior figures including Giovanni Malagò, Paolo Maldini, and advisor Leonardo outlined the current state of negotiations. The meeting took place at the assembly hall on via Rosellini, where the leadership discussed the process of appointing a new commissario tecnico.
Paolo Maldini confirmed that the search has been extensive. "Abbiamo parlato anche con Ancelotti prima di Pep Guardiola," Maldini said [2], noting that the team had spoken with Ancelotti before engaging with Guardiola.
While the interest in Guardiola remains a central point of the strategy, the officials indicated that the process is still ongoing. Leonardo addressed the timeline and the current status of the plans regarding the Manchester City manager. "Guardiola? I piani sono abbastanza chiari, aspettiamo qualche giorno," Leonardo said [3].
Giovanni Malagò provided insight into the contractual side of the negotiations, though he noted a lack of immediate demands from the candidates. "La persona dei contratti mi richiama: non vogliono niente," Malagò said [4].
The federation's leadership emphasized that while there is a desire to finalize the appointment soon, they are prioritizing the right fit over a rushed decision. The move to engage both Ancelotti and Guardiola suggests a preference for a manager with proven championship experience at the club level to lead the national side.
“"Abbiamo parlato anche con Ancelotti prima di Pep Guardiola."”
The pursuit of Guardiola and Ancelotti represents a shift toward 'super-coach' recruitment for the Italian national team. By targeting managers who have dominated the club game, the FIGC is attempting to modernize its tactical approach and leverage global prestige to attract and develop talent, moving away from traditional domestic coaching appointments.
