Pep Guardiola has reportedly demanded €20 million per year to become the next manager of the Italian national team, effectively pricing himself out of contention with the Italian Football Federation. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Manchester City coach's astronomical wage request is nearly double what the federation is willing to offer, leading observers to believe the Catalan tactician is deliberately making the position impossible to accept.
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, confirmed that contact has been made with Guardiola but acknowledged the talks face significant obstacles. Gravina suggested the federation could make "exceptions" at budget level to accommodate the elite coach's salary demands, yet the €20 million figure remains beyond their reach. The newspaper's report suggests Guardiola's inflated demands serve as a diplomatic rejection, allowing him to deflect interest without outright refusal.
Guardiola's Preference for Rest
The 53-year-old Spanish manager has previously indicated he intends to take a sabbatical following his decade-long tenure at Manchester City before pursuing another major project. This timeline conflicts with Italy's urgent need for an immediate managerial overhaul, adding another layer of complexity to the federation's recruitment efforts. Despite Maldini and Leonardo's continued preference for Guardiola as their candidate, financial reality has forced them to explore alternative options.
Alternative Candidates
Italy's search for a new Azzurri boss has now shifted toward other elite coaches. Andrea Pirlo leads the secondary list of contenders, followed by former national team manager Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, currently managing Napoli. The federation faces mounting pressure to restore credibility after a catastrophic cycle that saw Italy fail to qualify for three consecutive World Cups: 2018, 2022, and 2026.This unprecedented crisis in Italian football—having won the Euro 2020 championship just five years ago—demands transformative leadership. Whether that comes from Guardiola or another proven tactical mind, the federation must act decisively to rebuild the Azzurri's international standing and restore faith among supporters demanding a radical solution to their recent failures.
