By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Pep Guardiola has ruled out an immediate return to management, insisting he needs a break from football after turning down the coaching role with the Italy national team.
Guardiola gave his response to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday night.
FIGC officials Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo met with Guardiola over three days, explaining their project for the national team moving forward.
In their discussions with the former Manchester City manager in Barcelona, Maldini and Leonardo presented an idea that went beyond simply offering him a coaching role.
In the FIGC’s vision, Guardiola would have been the central figure in an ‘Azzurro project’ aiming to rebuild Italian football on solid foundations. Italy did not even qualify for the expanded World Cup.
Guardiola is a free agent for the first time in a decade after ending his 10-year association with Manchester City. He won 20 trophies during his time at the club and finished with a win ratio of 70.8 per cent.
It means former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, currently head coach of Dubai-based United FC, is the frontrunner to be tasked with navigating Italy through a Nations League group that includes France, Belgium and Turkey in the autumn and then try to qualify for Euro 2028.
The appointment of a new national coach is viewed as the first step in overhauling a youth and talent infrastructure that has largely collapsed.
Italy’s next fixture is the Nations League Group A match against Belgium on 25 September 2026.