Paolo Maldini and Leonardo are the brand new technical leaders of the Italy nationwide workforce set-up, and stories on Sunday declare that Pep Guardiola has once more turn out to be an choice for the vacant nationwide workforce head coach position beneath the brand new management.
Might Italy make a transfer for Guardiola beneath Maldini and Leonardo management?
The FIGC have just lately confirmed that and President of Membership Italia on a four-year contract that can see him by way of till the top of the 2030 World Cup. He shall be joined by his former teammate, ex-Rossoneri and director Leonardo as an advisor.
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Maldini’s is a four-year mission, and with unprecedented powers in his new position, he’s anticipated to make widespread adjustments to the best way that the nationwide workforce and youth techniques function.
Nonetheless, up first on his agenda is the appointment of a brand new head coach.
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Antonio Conte head coach through the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Might 11, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
For weeks, the 2 frontrunners have been Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. Conte has the backing of the Serie A golf equipment, whereas Mancini has a long-standing relationship with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò.
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Each have held the position beforehand, boast huge ranges of administration expertise, however each include their justifiable share of complaints as effectively: There are issues that Conte may not be the very best match on a tactical stage, whereas Mancini’s choice to depart Italy with the intention to be part of 2023 remains to be a bitter capsule for some to swallow.
Based on stories from , neither Conte nor Mancini are ‘on the high of Maldini and Leonardo’s checklist’. Now, Guardiola has come again into the body and the pink paper insists that the previous and tactician is now not a ‘fantasy’ choice.
The largest situation with Guardiola is his wage, which La Gazzetta dello Sport claims was near €25m gross throughout his closing season with Manchester Metropolis in 2025-26.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Pep Guardiola, Supervisor of Manchester Metropolis, reacts through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Dan Istitene/Getty Photos)
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The Serie A golf equipment are anticipated to make a contribution in direction of the wage of the brand new head coach with the intention to assist herald a top-level CT, besides, they’d not have the ability to present for a wage anyplace close to the extent that Guardiola was incomes at The Etihad.
claims that there’s nonetheless hope, however a lot will depend upon the discussions that happen between the important thing figures on this new Italy mission, i.e. Maldini and Leonardo. The truth that Guardiola is reportedly eager to step into worldwide administration at some stage of his profession additionally helps Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport additionally means that Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo might be among the many different choices if Italy resolve towards Conte, Mancini or Guardiola.