Italy still has a hole to fill. They missed a third straight World Cup, and now the search for Gennaro Gattuso’s replacement has taken a genuinely unexpected turn. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pep Guardiola is actually on the list.
The former Manchester City manager is available after walking away from the Etihad following a decade of dominance. And with Paolo Maldini now installed as the Italian Football Federation’s technical director, the idea of Guardiola coaching the Azzurri is getting some real traction inside the federation.
Maldini was officially confirmed on July 11. Reuters reported that the AC Milan legend will be working alongside adviser Leonardo to reshape the entire national team program. Finding the next head coach is one of his first big tasks.
Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are also being discussed. But Guardiola is the name that changes the conversation entirely.
It’s not hard to see why Italy would be interested. Guardiola has won everything at club level. His possession-heavy system demands patience, and international managers don’t get much time with their players. That’s a real concern. But Italy has a technical tradition and a pool of smart, adaptable footballers. The fit might not be as crazy as it sounds at first glance.
Still, hiring Guardiola wouldn’t fix everything overnight. Italy’s problems run deeper than the guy standing on the sideline. The youth setup needs work. The pipeline to the senior team has been clogged for years. Maldini has to address all of that, not just the coaching situation.
But after three consecutive World Cup qualification failures, safe choices haven’t exactly worked. Guardiola would be a gamble. A bold one. Maybe that’s exactly the kind of thinking Italian football needs right now.
The federation hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Guardiola’s camp hasn’t said a word either. But this is a story worth watching, because if it actually happens, it would be one of the most fascinating coaching appointments in international soccer history.
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