Guardiola surprises Italian Federation with an 'impossible' demand
The Italian Football Federation president confirmed contact with Pep Guardiola, but the coach's salary demand remains a significant hurdle.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Thomas Rodenbücher
Talks regarding Pep Guardiola taking charge of the Italian national team have gained momentum, though the path to an appointment remains complicated. Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, confirmed that there has been contact with the Spanish coach, but he stopped short of guaranteeing that the negotiations would lead to a deal.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola has requested an annual salary of 20 million euros. This figure is double what the Italian federation is reportedly prepared to pay, with sources suggesting the demand was set high to effectively make the role impossible for the federation to fulfill.
The interest in Guardiola stems from the severe crisis currently facing Italian football. After failing to qualify for the last three editions of the World Cup in 2018, 2022, and 2026, the federation is desperate for a radical solution to restore the nation's standing on the global stage.
Despite the financial impasse, Italy's sporting directors, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, still view Guardiola as their preferred candidate. However, the coach has previously indicated a desire to take a break after his decade-long tenure at Manchester City.
Should the pursuit of Guardiola fall through, the federation has a shortlist of alternative candidates. Currently, Andrea Pirlo is considered the frontrunner, followed by Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.