Guardiola says no to Italy job: demands €20 million, Italy CT race reopens

Pep Guardiola has turned down the FIGC's approach to become head coach of the Italy national team, with the Spanish manager's €20 million net annual wage demand proving too steep for the federation.

According to [La Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/23-07-2026/guardiola-verso-il-no-all-italia-vuole-20-milioni-l-anno.shtml), special envoys Paolo Maldini and Leonardo returned from Barcelona with little optimism. The FIGC had presented a 360-degree project placing Guardiola at the centre of Italian football's revival, covering everything from the senior team to youth development. However, the wage gap proved insurmountable: the federation offered around €10 million per season, while Guardiola wanted double that.

Guardiola has also promised his family he would take a break — something he has not done since his Bayern Munich days. Unless his family pushes him toward Coverciano, he is unlikely to accept. With the Nations League starting in September, Italy needs a head coach quickly.

With Guardiola out of the picture, the race is wide open. Antonio Conte remains the favourite among Serie A clubs, while Andrea Pirlo — Maldini's preferred choice for a long-term restructuring project — and Roberto Mancini are also in contention. FIGC president Giovanni Malagò remains cautious: "The new CT named at today's Lega Serie A assembly? I don't think so."

Sources

• La Gazzetta dello Sport