Italy Sound Out Pep Guardiola as Next Coach After World Cup Miss

Italy have sounded out the possibility of appointing Pep Guardiola as their next head coach, a source told ESPN, following the national team's failure to qualify for this summer's World Cup.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reportedly made initial contact with Guardiola's camp to gauge his interest in succeeding the current managerial setup. Guardiola, 53, is under contract at Manchester City until 2025 but has never coached at international level.

What happened

According to the source, the FIGC has identified Guardiola as a top target to lead the Azzurri's rebuild. Italy missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, failing to qualify for a second consecutive tournament after also missing the 2018 edition. The move comes as Italy seeks a high-profile figure to restore the team's prestige.

Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, having won multiple league titles at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, as well as two Champions League trophies. However, he has yet to take charge of a national team.

Why it matters

If appointed, Guardiola would bring a wealth of tactical expertise and a winning mentality to a rebuild project. His ability to develop young talent could also benefit an Italian squad in transition.

• Italy missed the 2022 World Cup and have not advanced past the group stage in the last two tournaments they qualified for.
• Guardiola has won 11 league titles in three different countries and three Champions Leagues.
• The FIGC is searching for a long-term solution after a period of inconsistent results.
• No formal offer has been made, and talks remain at a preliminary stage.
• Guardiola's current contract with Manchester City runs until 2025.

The FIGC is expected to continue assessing candidates in the coming weeks. Italy's next major assignment is the 2024 European Championship qualifiers, and a decision on the new coach is likely to be made before the end of the year.