Italian Football Federation Reportedly Pursues Pep Guardiola for National Team Coach Role

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is reportedly pursuing Pep Guardiola to take the helm as the head coach of the national team, the Azzurri. According to Sky Italia, Italy's Technical Director, Paolo Maldini, spent three days in Barcelona meeting with the former Manchester City manager.

Maldini presented Guardiola with a comprehensive development plan for the national team, aiming to convince the Spanish coach to accept the offer. However, there has been no confirmation regarding Guardiola's willingness to return to coaching, especially after he previously stated his intention to take a break following a 10-year tenure with Manchester City.

Guardiola, who recently concluded a highly successful decade with City, securing 20 trophies and an impressive 70.8% win rate, is currently a free agent. Before leaving the Etihad Stadium, the 55-year-old coach had indicated a need for rest to focus on personal life and family.

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I have no plans to coach for the time being. I need time to step down.

"I have no plans to coach for the time being. I need time to step down," Guardiola had said. He also admitted to feeling drained by the high pressure and demands of top-level coaching, expressing a desire to spend more time with his father and children, and pursue other life interests.

Besides Guardiola, the FIGC is also reportedly considering other candidates, including Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo, to fill the vacant coaching position. The appointment of Maldini and his advisor, Leonardo, is part of a significant overhaul within Italian football's governing body following the national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

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I want to spend more time with my father and my children. There are many other things I want to do in life.