Guardiola in reported talks with Italy; England approach also speculated

Pep Guardiola, the highly successful former Manchester City manager, is reportedly in talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to take over as the national team's head coach. Sky in Italy reported that FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo met with Guardiola in Barcelona for three days to discuss the role.

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If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him.

Guardiola, who speaks fluent Italian and played in Serie A from 2001 to 2003, would be the second non-Italian to manage the national team if appointed. The FIGC is also considering former Italy internationals Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo for the position. Italy has struggled to qualify for recent World Cups, failing to reach three successive tournaments, with Gennaro Gattuso leaving the coaching role in April.

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I don't see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola. If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him.

Meanwhile, the English Football Association might consider Guardiola if they decide to replace current manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite criticism after England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, Tuchel, appointed in January 2025, has a two-year contract extension and the FA's backing. Former England captain Wayne Rooney suggested that Guardiola would be the only viable alternative if Tuchel were to be sacked, noting that the FA had approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel, who reportedly had a verbal agreement to stay at Manchester City.

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If we sack him [Tuchel], what managers are we going to bring in? And I don't think there's anyone out there who's as good as Thomas Tuchel, unless Guardiola.