Football
Guardiola Says “No” to Italy, Andrea Pirlo Becomes the Leading Candidate
Pirlo is currently in charge of United FC in Dubai, but the opportunity to manage Italy could persuade him to return home.
Pep Guardiola has officially rejected the offer to become the new head coach of the Italian national team. The former Manchester City manager communicated his final decision overnight to Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who are overseeing the new Club Italia project.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia, the Catalan coach was deeply honored by the Italian Football Federation’s interest but does not feel ready to return to the dugout immediately.
“Thank you, I am honored, but at this moment I do not feel ready,” Guardiola reportedly told Maldini.
The Reasons Behind His Decision
After leaving Manchester City, where he spent ten highly intense seasons, Guardiola had already decided to take a sabbatical. He wants to step away from football temporarily and spend more time with his family, particularly his children and his 95-year-old father.
Another issue concerned his working methods. Guardiola describes himself as “obsessed with football” and is not the kind of coach who fully delegates responsibility to his assistants.
“If I do it, I do it 100 percent,” he reportedly said during negotiations.
The Catalan coach has enormous respect for Italy—a country he knows well and genuinely loves—as well as for Paolo Maldini. The proposed project involved a complete rebuilding of Italian football over a period of eight to ten years.
However, Guardiola wants to rest and recharge his batteries before beginning a new chapter in his career.
Andrea Pirlo Emerges as the Favorite
Following Guardiola’s rejection, Italian football officials have been forced to activate their backup plan. Andrea Pirlo is now the leading candidate to take charge of the national team.
The legendary former Italy midfielder is considered by Maldini and Leonardo to be the right person to develop a new footballing philosophy and lead a medium-to-long-term project.
Pirlo is currently in charge of United FC in Dubai, but the opportunity to manage Italy could persuade him to return home.
Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini also remain among the possible alternatives, although they are currently considered less likely candidates. Attention now turns to the Italian football leadership’s next moves and the negotiations to appoint the new Azzurri head coach.