Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to manage Italy's national team, saying he needs to focus on his family. Giovanni Malego, the Italian Football Federation president, confirmed this week that talks did take place with the 55-year-old Spanish coach.
Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after a decade of success that brought him six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. He's said to have decided his personal life comes first after years of intense pressure at club level.
La Gazzetta dello Sport first reported that he'd rejected the Italy offer. A source close to Guardiola told ESPN that taking on the job straight away wasn't possible because he wanted time away from the game.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss remains interested in international management down the line, and several countries have already made their interest known this summer. He won't be jumping at the first opportunity, though.
Gennaro Gattuso quit as Italy coach in April after the team failed to reach the 2026 World Cup, continuing a worrying trend of missed tournaments. It's the third time in a row Italy has stayed home.
Roberto Mancini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy, and ex-midfielder Andrea Pirlo are among the other names being considered for the job. Malego said the federation would have made budget exceptions to hire Guardiola, calling him an ideal fit for what they wanted.
The Italian Football Federation now faces a broader search to fill the vacant position as it prepares for its next set of matches. The federation hasn't ruled out other candidates with strong profiles.
