Key Takeaways:
- Pep Guardiola’s salary as Italy manager would be a budget ‘exception’, confirmed FIGC President Giovanni Malagò
- Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo met with Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the national role
- Malagò stated no guarantee exists for Guardiola’s appointment, with several candidates under consideration
Budget Constraints and Guardiola’s Potential Appointment
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has revealed that hiring Pep Guardiola as Italy’s head coach would require the Italian Football Federation to make a rare financial exception. Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio and Gazzetta dello Sport, Malagò made clear that, although the pursuit of Guardiola is genuine, his high salary represents a significant challenge.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò confirms Pep Guardiola’s wages as Italy coach would be ‘an exception’ to the budget, but ‘there’s no guarantee this will go through’ as there are other names.#Azzurri #Calcio #Guardiola pic.twitter.com/Tc7PUwJk4m
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) July 21, 2026
“There are certain financial aspects to be considered, and it’s an understatement to say we’d have to grit our teeth for this,” said Malagò. He acknowledged that exceptions had been made in the past, specifically referencing Guardiola as a name capable of justifying such a move. However, he emphasised that this does not guarantee that the deal would materialise, as multiple factors remain at play.
Direct Talks with Guardiola in Barcelona
The ambition of Italy’s technical hierarchy became apparent after technical director Paolo Maldini and his special advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona over the weekend for in-depth discussions with Guardiola. This marks a noteworthy escalation in the Italian Federation’s efforts to revamp the national side by attracting the former Manchester City boss. Malagò described opening a direct dialogue as right and important, underlining the intent to keep communication ongoing.
Other Names Still Under Consideration
Despite the high-profile nature of the Guardiola talks, Malagò insisted that several profiles are still being analysed for the role. With Antonio Conte having stated he was not approached for the job, questions have been raised about the type of manager Italy are seeking. Malagò clarified that the list is not limited to Guardiola, Andrea Pirlo, or Roberto Mancini, but indicated these names fit the kind of profile under consideration.
“It is certainly not a lack of respect towards other people, because there has already been a discussion with others, and one can opt for someone who is perhaps of a more recent school of thought, so it’s a very subjective matter.”
He concluded, “Absolutely not, we are thinking about a certain profile, and these names are definitely within that category.”
