Guardiola reportedly says no to Italy as Pirlo moves closer to Azzurri job

Pep Guardiola has reportedly rejected the opportunity to become Italy head coach, leaving Andrea Pirlo as the leading candidate for the role. The report says Guardiola’s decision came after discussions with the Italian Football Federation over a wider plan to rebuild the national setup.

According to the source, FIGC representatives Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met Guardiola in Barcelona across three days and outlined a project that would have extended beyond the senior team. The federation was said to be prepared to stretch its budget for Guardiola, who is currently away from club management after leaving Manchester City.

Pirlo is now reported to be close to taking over, though the agreement has not been described as officially complete. He is expected to resolve his contract situation with United FC in Dubai before finalising any move to the Italy job.

The vacancy follows Gennaro Gattuso’s departure after Italy missed out on World Cup qualification again. For editors, the central issue is whether Pirlo represents a reset with Italian identity, or whether the FIGC’s pursuit of Guardiola shows a desire for a more structural revolution.