The FIGC, the Italian Football Association, is in the midst of its election process, but the candidates agree that the next Italy coach must be a major name, and Pep Guardiola has a lot of fans, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
The gaffer will soon decide whether to continue his lengthy spell at Manchester City, seeing out the final year of his contract. He has kept the call close to the vest, but rumors from Spain and England suggest he’ll move on, especially if he wins the Premier League again.
If Guardiola leaves the Sky Blues, he’ll likely take a sabbatical, but helming Italy or another national team would be a compromise between that and heading to a new club. He had set his sights on England, but Tomas Tuchel renewed his contract until 2028. Carlo Ancelotti is about to ink a four-year extension with Brazil.
The Spanish boss was directly suggested by Leonardo Bonucci, who assisted Gennaro Gattuso on the Azzurri bench. He spent time at Brescia and Roma as a player. His right-hand man, Manel Estiarte, was a longtime water polo player in the Peninsula in the 80s and 90s. His salary is massive, but the sponsors would contribute to it.
In the meantime, Giovanni Malagò increased their chances of becoming the next FIGC president. Serie A backed him right away, while the coaches and the players’ associations did it recently. He has 48 percent of the votes now, Calcio e Finanza reports. Among the constituents, Serie D will support its head, Giancarlo Abete, while Serie B and D haven’t taken a stand at this stage.
There’s almost no shot it happens, but being ambitious costs nothing.
