Italy's ambitious dream of hiring Pep Guardiola as their new national team manager is crumbling. The former Manchester City manager is set to decline the role following contract talks.
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Subscribe Sekarang →Guardiola met with Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo in Barcelona last weekend. They presented a project to oversee the national side and reshape youth development across Italian football.
The Catalan coach is hesitant to commit to the demanding role. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola promised his family a period of rest following his intense decade-long tenure at Manchester City.
Financial terms present the primary obstacle to any agreement. The Italian Football Federation offered Guardiola a salary of ten million euros per year. However, the former Barcelona manager reportedly demands double that figure.
Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago expressed a willingness to stretch resources, but matching Guardiola's demands would severely strain the organization's current budget.
Malago still holds slim hopes of convincing his primary target before considering alternatives. Italy needs a quick resolution with the UEFA Nations League starting in September.
Based on reports from Italian media, Antonio Conte remains the leading candidate to take charge if negotiations with Guardiola collapse completely. Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini also remain potential options.