Could Pep Guardiola Become Italy’s Next National Team Coach?

What Happened in the Football World Last Weekend?

Imagine the whole world was watching football in New York, but inside Italy’s small football universe, all eyes were on Barcelona. In a way, Spain became the center of the football world.

Here is why:

• While 48 national teams were playing in the 2026 World Cup,
• Italy’s football was trying to rebuild itself from scratch.
• This rebuild is led by three key people:
  • Giovanni Malagò – the newly chosen president of Italy’s football federation
  • Paolo Maldini – the technical director
  • Leonardo – an advisor

Important Point: Italy is reinventing its football leadership using these three figures as its foundation.

A Secret Mission in Barcelona

According to Sky Italia, Maldini and Leonardo spent the weekend together in Barcelona. They were seen in pictures shared online.

Their big goal?

• To try something almost unthinkable:
  • Bring Pep Guardiola in as the next coach of the Italian national team.

Why Pep Guardiola?

Pep is a famous coach from Catalonia (Spain). He just finished a long and super successful time coaching Manchester City (a big English club). He has won tons of trophies, so he might feel “full” — but:

• There is always hunger for new challenges.
• Pep has a strong bond with Italy and loves its football tradition.
• Maldini and Leonardo tried to talk to him during the weekend in Barcelona, chatting and swapping ideas.

Important Point: Guardiola is seen as the one name that all three Italian decision-makers would agree on without fighting.

Did the Meeting Go Well?

We don’t know exactly what happened in the meeting, but:

• Pep probably listened with interest.
• He respects Maldini and Leonardo a lot (the article jokes they are like Jake and Elwood Blues visiting Barcelona).
• Fun memory: In May 2009, Pep won the Champions League with Barcelona and Lionel Messi, and he dedicated the trophy to Paolo Maldini, who had just retired.

Other People in the Running

Pep is now on the list of top candidates. Others include:

• Roberto Mancini
• Antonio Conte
• Andrea Pirlo

The federation president, Giovanni Malagò, spoke to SKY Sport 24 and told fans to stay calm:

1. It took him two weeks to bring Maldini and Leonardo on board because they are serious and wanted to know all the details.
2. He said there is no conflict with them — they are talking things through.
3. He asked for a few more days of patience before revealing everything.
4. He hinted the list is not just Mancini and Pirlo — other names could appear.

Important Point: No final decision yet — more news is coming soon!

Summary

To sum it up simply:

• Italy is rebuilding its football with Malagò, Maldini, and Leonardo.
• Maldini and Leonardo met Pep Guardiola in Barcelona to ask him to coach Italy.
• Pep has won a lot, but may want a new challenge and likes Italy.
• He is a top candidate alongside Mancini, Conte, and Pirlo.
• The president says wait a few days for the full plan.

FAQ

1. Who is trying to hire Pep Guardiola?
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, who work for Italy’s football federation, are the ones who met him in Barcelona.

2. Is Pep Guardiola definitely the new Italy coach?
No. There is no confirmation yet. He is a strong candidate, but other names are also being considered.

3. Why would Pep want to coach Italy?
He has a deep connection to Italy, loves its football culture, and may be looking for a fresh challenge after winning many trophies with Manchester City.

4. Who else could be the Italy coach?
Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, and Andrea Pirlo are also on the list of possible coaches.