Could Guardiola be Italy’s next head coach? Financial ‘exception’ on the table

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malago reportedly confirmed that the federation is willing to grant a financial expectation to meet Pep Guardiola's salary requirements.

This summer, Guardiola left Manchester City following 10 successful years in England during which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.

Notably, Italy has been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April after the country’s disqualification for a third consecutive World Cup.

Pep Guardiola, said Malago: “[Financial] Exceptions have been made, exceptions that for example may concern the name that is so overbearing in these hours”

“Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this thing will go through.”

Roberto Mancini, another former Manchester City manager who guided Italy to Euro 2020 five years ago and former midfielder Andrea Pirlo currently managing Dubai United are also in running for the position.

When asked if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo were the only candidates, Malaga responded: “Absolutely not. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category.”

Most importantly, Guardiola has never managed in the country, but he speaks fluent Italian and spent two seasons remarkably playing in Serie A from 2001 to 2003.

Nonetheless, if he named Italy head coach, it would be an immediate return to football after his spell at City came to an end in May, he remarked: “I am so tired, Seriously, I am so tired,”