Financial “exceptions” are in place to allow Pep Guardiola to become Italy’s next head coach, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni Malago, has said.
- Pep Guardiola left Manchester City after a hugely successful 10-year reign with multiple domestic and European titles.
- Pep Guardiola previously managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich, reinforcing his elite coaching credentials.
- Pep Guardiola is free to take another job and has reportedly held talks with the FIGC about the Italy vacancy.
- Gennaro Gattuso resigned after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
- Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo are other reported candidates; FIGC says shortlist is not limited to these names.
Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League during a hugely successful 10-year reign. He is free to take up another job, having also coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and has been linked with the Italy vacancy for some time, with it reported earlier this week that he has held talks with the FIGC. Gennaro Gattuso resigned from the post in in April after the four-time World Cup champions failed to qualify for a third tournament in a row.
“[Financial] exceptions have been made, exceptions that for example may concern the name that is so overbearing in these hours: Pep Guardiola,” Malago is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. “Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this thing will go through.”
Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo are other reported candidates for the vacancy. Asked if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo were the only names on the shortlist, Malago added: “Absolutely not. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category.”
