Italy wants…Pep Guardiola?

A report from Sky Germany indicates that the Italian FA is gunning hard for legendary coach Pep Guardiola, who has recently stepped down from his tenure at Manchester City.

The former Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona coach has left an indelible mark everywhere he has gone, and the long-suffering Azzurri — who have failed to qualify for three straight World Cups — are looking for a savior.

Via @SkySportDE:

Italian association bosses are making intensive efforts to recruit Pep Guardiola as the new national team coach. 🚨

↪️ As Sky Sport Italia reported, the successful coach was visited in Barcelona over the weekend by Paolo Maldini. The former pro, who was most recently engaged as Technical Director with the Azzurri, negotiated with Guardiola for nearly three days alongside association advisor Leonardo about a possible collaboration, the broadcaster stated.

↪️ There is no indication yet whether the 55-year-old wants to take on the job just a few weeks after the end of his time at Manchester City.

It was an interesting tournament for so-called ‘elite’ managers this summer. Thomas Tuchel took England to the semifinals but collapsed spectacularly against Argentina. Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann, and Mauricio Pochettino all failed to dazzle — though Pochettino’s run with the USMNT was positive until a lackluster display against Belgium. The winner, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, was coaching the Spanish men’s youth ranks for nearly a decade before taking his post and succeeded another ‘elite’ manager, Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique.

With Germany’s appointment of Jürgen Klopp, though, the trend is holding strong. It may be another star-studded coaching cast in 2030.

Italy’s last Men’s World Cup appearance came in 2014, when they failed to advance out of their group along with England. Costa Rica and Uruguay finished first and second, respectively.

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