Former manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, is on the radar of Italy’s Football Association (FA).

Due to his impressive record throughout his coaching career, Italy is willing to make financial exceptions for him despite budgetary limitations, President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Giovanni Malago, has said.

The four-time world champions have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in the past three editions, including the 2026 tournament. Currently, the FIGC is eyeing several coaches, including Pep Guardiola and former Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo, to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach and help improve the team's form ahead of the next global football tournament.

He went on to admit that Italian football is at its "lowest point in nearly 40 years."

Speaking on the Cronache di Spogliatoio podcast, Giovanni Malago added that the Federation was in talks with other coaches for the vacant role, including Guardiola.

"This [talks with Guardiola] is by no means a lack of respect towards other candidates, with whom discussions have already begun."

"There are also financial and budgetary considerations. In the short to medium term, to say that we'll have to tighten our belts is an understatement. However, some exceptions have been made," he said.

When asked whether such "exception" candidates included Pep Guardiola, Malago replied, "Yes."

"Exceptions have been made… exceptions that may concern the name that is so dominant at the moment: Pep Guardiola."

Pep Guardiola played in the Italian Serie A for Brescia during his playing career.

About Pep Guardiola and his managerial journey, achievements

Pep Guardiola began his managerial career at Barcelona in 2008 after being promoted from the B team. In just four years, he won 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011. His crowning achievement was the historic treble in 2009, when Barcelona claimed La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. Guardiola’s tiki-taka philosophy, built around Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, and Messi, transformed the game and set new standards for possession-based football.

After about a 4-year break, Guardiola took charge of Bayern Munich in 2013. Over three seasons, he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles, two German Cups, and added a UEFA Super Cup.

In 2016, Guardiola moved to Manchester City, where he stayed for a decade. He guided City to six Premier League titles, five League Cups, and three FA Cups. His greatest triumph came in 2023 when he led City to their first-ever Champions League title, completing a treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

In May 2026, he parted ways with Man City with 20 trophies to his name

Across his career, Guardiola’s trophy haul includes 14 titles with Barcelona, 7 with Bayern Munich, and 20 with Manchester City, making him the only manager to win trebles with two different clubs.

So far, he has mentored managers like Mikel Arteta, Xavi, and Enzo Maresca, and earned recognition as a three-time World’s Best Club Coach and multiple UEFA Manager of the Year award winner.