Former Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has reportedly turned down the opportunity to become Italy’s head coach due to family reasons.
Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed earlier this week that talks had taken place with the former Manchester City manager.
But Spaniard Guardiola, who left City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League during a trophy-laden 10-year reign, now appears to be out of the running.
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday that Guardiola had turned down the job.
A source close to Guardiola reiterated to ESPN that talks about taking over Italy immediately were a nonstarter given the Catalan coach’s desire to take some time out.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager wants to prioritize his personal life after spending 10 years in the top job at City.
When he returns to the game, the source added, he would be open to stepping into international football, with several other nations also sounding out his availability this summer.
Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo are other candidates for the vacancy.
Malago said budget “exceptions” could be made in terms of salary for 55-year-old Guardiola, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
But he also warned “it is not certain that this thing will go through.”
Asked if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo were the only names on the shortlist, Malago replied: “Absolutely not. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category.”
