Four-time world champions Italy are now going through a dire time in football. After failing to reach the football World Cup for a third straight time, the national team’s coaching post lies vacant. But the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is unwilling to compromise in filling it. Before contacting Pep Guardiola, their first choice was Carlo Ancelotti, the former Real Madrid and current Brazil coach.
Italy’s new technical director and club legend Paolo Maldini recently spoke about the matter. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, he said they want to bring in one of the world’s best coaches for the national team. The AC Milan legend and former defender Maldini said: “Before speaking to Pep (Guardiola), I contacted Carlo Ancelotti. It seemed to us that we should start with those considered the best in the world. It was our duty to check first whether they had a general interest and whether they were available.”
Ancelotti, however, has extended his contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to the 2030 World Cup. So it is not possible for Italy to secure this home-grown mastermind.
On the other hand, Italy consider Pep Guardiola the front-runner to become coach, after he left Manchester City following a successful 10 years there. Although there was speculation that the Spanish coach had demanded 20 million euros a year — double Italy’s budget — Maldini dismissed this as mere rumour. In his words: “In Pep’s case, financial matters or salary are not a barrier or a major issue at all.”
Italy went out of World Cup qualifying after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina last April. Gennaro Gattuso then stepped down as coach shortly afterwards. With Ancelotti currently unavailable, the names of former Euro-winning coach Roberto Mancini and 2006 World Cup-winning magician Andrea Pirlo are under discussion alongside Guardiola. The federation has taken up a master plan to overhaul the whole of Italian football afresh ahead of the 2032 Euro Championship.
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