The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reached out to Carlo Ancelotti to lead the national team before commencing negotiations with Pep Guardiola. Italy has been searching for a new manager since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April following the team’s unsuccessful qualification for the World Cup.
FIGC president Giovanni Malago recently confirmed discussions with Guardiola, mentioning potential financial flexibility to secure the former Manchester City manager. However, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini clarified that Ancelotti was the initial choice. Maldini noted during a press event that it felt appropriate to approach the world’s top managers first. Ancelotti, a former teammate of Maldini, is currently managing Brazil and recently extended his tenure through 2030, despite a round-of-16 elimination by Norway.
Maldini indicated that while the federation hopes to fill the vacancy by week’s end, the primary focus remains selecting the most suitable candidate. While reports suggest Guardiola’s salary expectations may exceed Italy’s budget, Maldini declined to comment on specific financial figures. Other candidates, including Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, and Andrea Pirlo, have also been associated with the position.
