A bold and unexpected candidate has surfaced for the Italy national team coaching position next summer: Pep Guardiola. This speculation arises as the esteemed manager is widely anticipated to depart Manchester City, coupled with his known admiration for Italian football.
Significant changes are looming for the Italian national team’s leadership. Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to step down from his coaching role following the team’s failure to secure World Cup qualification. This shake-up comes as FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon have reportedly tendered their resignations.
Other prominent figures being considered for the vacant managerial position include current Milan coach Max Allegri, alongside former Azzurri tacticians Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, currently leading Al-Sadd and Napoli, respectively.
The Guardiola Dream for the Azzurri
The Gazzetta dello Sport has, however, proposed a particularly fascinating alternative: Pep Guardiola, who is anticipated to conclude his tenure with Manchester City at the season’s end.
The celebrated Spanish coach has managed City since 2016, following highly successful stints where he secured numerous trophies with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Such a move would present a compelling challenge for a coach renowned for a distinct footballing philosophy, one that often stands in stark contrast to traditional Italian Calcio.
Nevertheless, Guardiola is certainly no stranger to Italy; quite the opposite.
Having played for two Serie A clubs, Brescia and Roma, he maintains excellent fluency in Italian and frequently visits the country as a tourist.
He also frequently praises several Italian coaches, citing figures like Gian Piero Gasperini and Lazio’s Maurizio Sarri.
The concept of a foreign coach for Italy is not unprecedented, though rare; Helenio Herrera last held the ‘CT’ (technical commissioner) title, sharing duties with Giulio Valcareggi for just four matches in the 1960s.
Considering Carlo Ancelotti’s move from Real Madrid to manage Brazil, the idea of Guardiola taking the reins of the Azzurri becomes a less improbable prospect.
