Italy await Guardiola's response after Maldini meeting: reasons he could say yes or no
Quick summary
Italy are waiting for Pep Guardiola's response after Paolo Maldini met with the former Manchester City boss to discuss the vacant national team head coach position.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAll major Italian outlets confirm that Paolo Maldini and Leonardo have held talks with Pep Guardiola, who has taken time to evaluate the proposal.
Sky Sport Italia broke the news on Monday that new Italy technical director Maldini and his advisor Leonardo had travelled to Barcelona over the weekend to offer Guardiola the Azzurri job.
Will Guardiola accept Maldini’s offer to become Italy’s new coach? The major Italian sources confirmed the news on Tuesday, adding updates on the decision Guardiola might make.
They all confirm that it’s unlikely that Guardiola will accept the offer, not just for financial reasons, but there’s also room for hope.
As Repubblica highlights, Guardiola has taken time to evaluate the proposal and could give a final response by tomorrow.
Guardiola said just a few days ago that he wanted to take a break after a demanding decade at Manchester City, and his feelings have certainly not changed. The Spaniard wants to enjoy time with his family, including his 95-year-old father.
However, he is also fascinated by the offer he has received and the magnitude of the task before him. This challenge involves not only managing the first team but also transforming Italian football culture, similar to what Johan Cruyff achieved with Barcelona and Spain, as Tuttosport highlights.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts afterthe Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Guardiola is also on very good terms with Paolo Maldini, to whom he dedicated the first Champions League he won as a coach in 2009, beating Manchester United with his Barcelona side at the Olimpico in Rome.
Corriere della Sera argues that Maldini’s mission of convincing Guardiola is “nearly impossible,” yet the new Azzurri technical director and his advisor Leonardo still have hope, just as the rest of the nation.
If Guardiola turns down the proposal, the top names on the FIGC list are those of Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini, with Antonio Conte in the background.
According to Gazzetta, Pirlo remains favourite if Guardiola rejects the offer, while Corriere dello Sport indicates Mancini as the main candidate if Pep says no.
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What happened
Following Roberto Mancini's departure, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sent Paolo Maldini to meet with Pep Guardiola to pitch the vacant Italy national team head coach role. The article explores arguments for and against Guardiola accepting, including his trophy haul, his potential openness to international football, the appeal of a World Cup project, financial terms, and his possible preference to wait for a top club job. Italy are currently under interim management and need a permanent appointment ahead of upcoming fixtures and the next World Cup cycle.
Chance analysis
This is a consequential managerial story for the international game. Guardiola taking the Italy job would be a seismic hire, raising Italy's tactical ceiling and prestige but creating risk if his possession-oriented approach clashes with the limited preparation time international football allows. For prediction systems, Italy's short-term form is unchanged under interim staff, but the eventual appointment materially shifts their long-term outlook, tactical identity, and squad morale, while also removing a high-profile option from the club market.
If Guardiola accepts, Italy's tactical ceiling and big-tournament prospects rise sharply; if he declines, Italy must restart their search, likely turning to a less high-profile candidate.
Treat Italy as unsettled in the coaching market; avoid strong long-term predictions on Italy until a permanent appointment is confirmed, as managerial identity and squad selection could shift significantly.