Italy’s football federation signals salary flexibility in Guardiola talks
Financial exceptions may be made to accommodate the Spanish coach’s demands, though the Italian Football Federation cautions that an appointment is not guaranteed.
Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has confirmed that preliminary discussions have taken place with Pep Guardiola regarding the vacant head coach position for the Italian national team. Speaking in an interview with the digital platform Cronache di Spogliatoio, published on Wednesday, Malago indicated that the federation is prepared to make financial exceptions to accommodate the former Manchester City manager’s salary requirements.
When asked whether the budget for the coaching role could be increased specifically for Guardiola, Malago affirmed that it could. “Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons,” he stated, though he declined to provide specific details regarding the financial arrangements. The FIGC president emphasised that while the dialogue was important to maintain, the outcome remains uncertain. “It’s not sure that this [appointment] will come about,” Malago noted, but he maintained that opening the conversation was the correct strategic move.
The vacancy at the helm of the Italian national side follows a period of significant instability for the team. In March, the men’s national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, a result that sent the programme into a decline. This failure led to the resignation of former head coach Gennaro Gattuso in April. The team is now scheduled to face Belgium in the Nations League on 25 September, with the search for a permanent leader ongoing.
Guardiola, 55, stepped down from his role at Manchester City at the end of the previous season after a decade-long tenure that included six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory. He brings prior experience in Italian football, having played for Brescia and AS Roma between 2001 and 2003. Malago acknowledged that Guardiola fits the desired profile for the role but clarified that he is not the sole candidate under consideration by the federation.
According to Italian media reports, other candidates being evaluated for the position include Andrea Pirlo, who currently manages Dubai United, and Roberto Mancini, who previously guided Italy to the Euro 2020 title. Malago suggested that the federation is looking for a specific profile but has not limited its search to these individuals. The FIGC remains in a holding pattern as it navigates the next phase of its coaching strategy amidst the uncertainty surrounding the potential appointment.
