Pep Guardiola is in talks to become Italy's next head coach, according to reports from Sky in Italy, just months after the Catalan's decade-long spell at Manchester City came to an end in May. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has held discussions with the 55-year-old, with legendary defender Paolo Maldini — the new technical director — and his advisor Leonardo travelling to Barcelona to speak with Guardiola over three days.
If appointed, Guardiola would become only the second non-Italian to lead the national team, and the first since the 1960s. A fluent Italian speaker, he spent two seasons playing in Serie A from 2001 to 2003, representing Brescia (twice) and Roma. Italy have failed to qualify for three successive World Cups, a drought that prompted Gennaro Gattuso's departure in April after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the European play-off for the 2026 tournament in North America. Ex-Italy internationals Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo are also in contention.
“Pep Guardiola in talks to become Italy head coach; Rooney says FA should consider him for England.”
But while Guardiola's immediate future appears to lie in Turin, his availability has also sparked conversation about England. The Three Lions finished third at the 2026 World Cup — their best result since 1966 — but manager Thomas Tuchel faced heavy criticism after a 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, with his defensive substitutions blamed for squandering a 1-0 lead. Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February and retains the FA's backing, but former England captain Wayne Rooney has suggested the FA could act if Guardiola is on the market.
"I don't see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show after England's defeat. "If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him… If we sack him [Tuchel], what managers are we going to bring in? And I don't think there's anyone out there who's as good as Thomas Tuchel, unless Guardiola."
The FA previously approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel in January 2025, with reports indicating a verbal agreement was in place while Guardiola remained at Manchester City. Now free, his next move could reshape the landscape of international football — but whether that involves a return to club management, a tilt at the Azzurri job, or a future with England remains unresolved.