Former Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini has revealed that Former Man City manager Pep Guardiola came very close to accepting his side's offer to take over as the new manager of the national team.

Paolo Maldini made this revelation on Monday, August 10, 2026, in Rome, Italy, during a press conference at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) headquarters, after Italy announced Roberto Mancini as Italy’s new head coach, returning to the role he previously held when he guided the team to the Euro 2020 title.

Speaking at the event, Maldini mentioned that the team’s management spent almost the whole day with Pep Guardiola, who started sketching lineups on paper, while requesting a lesser pay than the previous coach.

“He was very tempted. He came very close to accepting. He even started writing down lineups on paper,” Maldini said to Corriere Della Sella and added that money wasn’t the issue that prevented Guardiola from accepting the job by stating

“Absolutely not. Money has never been an issue. Pep told us clearly: ‘Give me one euro less than the last coach was making, and I’m fine.”

The director also named Barcelona and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as his favourite and the choices the team had talks with, highlighting Pep’s tactics and prowess. However, for sme reasons Pep ultimately turned down the opportunity, paving the way for Mancini’s return.

“He’s the coach who best embodies technical and attacking play. He’d expressed the idea of coaching a national team. We went to visit him in Barcelona, had lunch together, and talked for a whole day.”

Maldini left his role as Italy football technical director before Mancini’s appointment.

On July 29, 2026, Maldini resigned after only 12 days in office. Giovanni Malagò quickly appointed Claudio Ranieri as the new Technical Director.