Meetings in Barcelona on July 18-19 centered on a proposed Italy job, with the federation offering about €10 million a year and Guardiola seeking roughly €20 million.
Pep Guardiola is close to deciding whether to take over Italy’s national team after meetings with the Italian Football Federation in Barcelona on July 18-19, with a response expected soon. The main obstacle is pay: the FIGC has offered about €10 million annually, while Guardiola is seeking roughly €20 million. Italy is searching for a new direction after Gennaro Gattuso was dismissed in April 2026 following the team’s failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup. The federation has targeted Guardiola rather than pursuing a lower-cost internal or conventional appointment, reflecting both the scale of the crisis and its willingness to increase spending. Guardiola has previously expressed admiration for Italian football culture and has praised Paolo Maldini, now the FIGC’s technical director. Backup options reportedly include Roberto Mancini, Andrea Pirlo and Antonio Conte.