Italy Eyes Guardiola, He Also Has a Dream

Italy is searching for a new direction after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, and the solution might lie with one man: Pep Guardiola. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is reportedly considering an ambitious move to appoint him as the new national team coach. This operation is seen as a way to revitalize not only the squad but also the morale of a shaken sporting nation, though the Manchester City manager's high salary remains the primary hurdle.

The biggest obstacle to his hiring is financial, as reported by Spanish newspaper Marca and Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport this Friday. Guardiola, who has previously been linked with Brazil, earns approximately €24.8 million gross at Manchester City, a figure deemed unaffordable by FIGC standards. For comparison, Roberto Mancini, after winning the Euros, was earning €3 million net.

However, there's a precedent: in 2014, a sponsor covered a significant portion of Antonio Conte's salary to facilitate his arrival. In this context, Puma, a brand with which Guardiola has a close relationship, could play a crucial role. The idea wouldn't just be to hire a coach, but to build a project around a global figure capable of relaunching the image of Italian football.

Guardiola himself has expressed a desire to manage a national team. In 2021, speaking to ESPN, he admitted his wish to participate in a major international tournament. "I would like to have the experience of living a World Cup, a European Championship, a Copa América, whatever it may be. I would like to experience a major national team competition. I don't know when, in five, 10, or 15 years, but I would like to compete in a World Cup as a coach. To work for a national team, they have to want and hire you, just like with clubs. I don't know who wants me to work for a national team," he stated at the time.

Guardiola's emotional connection to Italy, where he played for Brescia and Roma, also fuels hope. The coach speaks Italian and has admitted his admiration for the country's football, having left the door open to a future in Italy in 2018 with a simple "why not?" This time, the scenario would be different, involving the national team rather than a club.

The idea of seeing Guardiola at the helm of the Italian national team gained traction with comments from Leonardo Bonucci, now involved in federation work. "I would start again with Guardiola. He is the right man for Italy. I know it's not simple, but dreaming costs nothing," he declared, at a time when the FIGC is seeking a new direction after Gattuso's departure.

Despite having another year on his contract with Manchester City, the Spanish and English press widely report his likely departure at the end of the current season, and the Citizens are said to have already lined up a potential replacement.

Currently, Guardiola's focus is on securing his seventh Premier League title in ten years and the FA Cup, where they face Southampton in the semi-finals. Should he win both, he would reach 42 titles in an 18-year career, nearing Sir Alex Ferguson's record of 49 trophies.

Should he leave City, the option of coaching a national team seems appealing, as it involves less daily grind, explains La Gazzetta dello Sport.

With other options like England (Thomas Tuchel until 2028) and Brazil (Carlo Ancelotti until 2030) seemingly closed, Italy sees an opportunity. The FIGC believes Guardiola's affection for the country could be a decisive factor, even if the operation is complex and costly. The federation considers that, at the very least, making contact is essential.