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Italy has reportedly failed in its attempt to convince Pep Guardiola to accept its vacant head coach role, with the unemployed Spaniard determined to take a year-long break.
The Azzurri are searching for a new manager after parting ways with Gennaro Gattuso following yet another national disaster. The four-time world champions missed out on qualifying for their third straight World Cup after falling to Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties in the playoff final.
Italy and Gattuso reached a "mutual agreement" to end his contract in early April, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has made efforts to lure Guardiola over recent weeks.
However, those attempts have come to nothing.
Pep Guardiola Turns Down Italy Job; Wants Year Off
It was his fierce rivalry with José Mourinho that wore Guardiola down and led him to take a year-long sabbatical in 2012, after departing Barcelona following one of the most dominant spells in the club's illustrious history.
Guardiola stayed true to his word and took charge of Bayern Munich in 2013.
The Spaniard is now craving a rest after leaving Manchester City following an enormously successful decade at the Etihad Stadium. "I am so tired. Seriously, I am so tired. I did everything. We did it," he said after City's final match of the 2026–27 season, signaling his readiness for a break.
While club sides have kept their distance, national teams have sought to entice Guardiola back into management immediately. It is a lighter workload after all — far less grueling than what the 55-year-old has endured throughout his entire post-playing career.
Four countries are said to have reached out to Guardiola, Italy among them. However, ESPN reports that discussions with the former City manager were a "nonstarter," given his desire to step away from the game. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday that Guardiola had rejected the role amid claims that he wanted double the salary the FIGC was prepared to offer.
There remains a possibility he could be drawn into international management at a later stage, with England among the nations previously linked with an interest. For the time being, however, the Football Association are remaining committed to Thomas Tuchel and intend to keep the German at the helm for Euro 2028.
Italy Targeting High-Profile Pep Guardiola Alternatives
Italy likely had a sense that convincing Guardiola was always going to be a long shot.
The FIGC has undergone significant restructuring since Italy's previous World Cup qualifying failure, with former AC Milan defender and director Paolo Maldini appointed as the Federation's new technical director at the beginning of the month.
Maldini confirmed Italy's interest in not only Guardiola, but also Carlo Ancelotti: "We can't hide that we also talked with Carlo Ancelotti before talking with Pep. Honestly, it seemed right to start with the best in the world, to see their general availability," he said.
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Maldini is keen to appoint Gattuso's replacement as quickly as possible, but acknowledged that Italy "will wait for the person we really want."
Ancelotti intends to fulfill his contract with Brazil through the 2030 World Cup, which could open the door for Andrea Pirlo to take the role. Antonio Conte has also been mentioned as a candidate, given that he is currently without a club after his departure from Napoli.