CT Italia: Pep Guardiola Is Much More Than Just a Rumor—Maldini and Leonardo’s Move
Pep Guardiola’s candidacy to lead the Italian national team is now much more than just a summer rumor. The possibility, which seemed to have fizzled out in recent days, has gained new momentum following reports from Sky Sport that, over the past weekend, the national team’s technical director, Paolo Maldini, and national team advisor Leonardo personally met with the Catalan coach—who had just parted ways with Manchester City after a decade-long tenure—and offered him the position of Italy’s new head coach.
This would by no means be a superficial inquiry on the part of the FIGC, but rather a move that signals a willingness to explore a decidedly ambitious solution. Guardiola, given his philosophy and prestige, would represent a paradigm shift in the world of Italian soccer, marking a definitive break from a recent past marked by very few highlights and many—far too many—disappointments.
Adding further intrigue to the situation are the remarks by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò, who reiterated to Sky Sport that the choice of the new head coach will be a joint decision between himself, Maldini, and Leonardo—and that the shortlist is by no means limited to Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Mancini, and Antonio Conte. “There may be other possible names,” said the president of the Italian Football Federation, hinting that there could be further surprises between now and the final decision.
The race for the Azzurri’s head coaching position remains a multi-pronged one, however. Pirlo, Mancini, and Conte themselves are still in the running, but based on what has emerged in recent hours, it seems the Federation is genuinely trying to determine whether hiring Guardiola is feasible. The meeting in Barcelona doesn’t guarantee a “yes,” but it confirms that the possibility is much more real than it seemed. And with an announcement expected very soon, the Catalan’s candidacy has once again become much more than just an intriguing idea: it’s a real possibility, being explored with determination.
