Italy spoke to Ancelotti before Guardiola, says Maldini

Italy made contact with Carlo Ancelotti before opening discussions with Pep Guardiola over the vacant national team manager’s position, according to FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini.

The Azzurri have been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April after Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup. With the federation now searching for a new appointment, Maldini has confirmed that two of the most decorated coaches in world football were sounded out.

Maldini confirms Italy’s approach

Speaking at a news conference, Maldini said Italy first turned to Ancelotti before later holding talks with Guardiola. He described that approach as a natural move, given the standing of both men in the game.

Ancelotti has strong ties to Italian football and to Maldini personally, having played alongside him for both Italy and AC Milan. Guardiola, meanwhile, recently left Manchester City after a decade in charge, making him one of the standout names available for discussion.

Ancelotti remains with Brazil

Any move for Ancelotti was always likely to be complicated by his current role with Brazil. The 67-year-old took charge of the national team in 2025 and, in May, extended his contract through to the 2030 World Cup.

Brazil’s campaign ended in the last 16 against Norway, but the Brazilian Football Confederation has confirmed that Ancelotti will stay on as head coach. That clarity appears to have closed off one route for Italy as it weighs up its next step.

Guardiola talks and financial reality

Earlier in the week, FIGC president Giovanni Malago said talks had also taken place with Guardiola. He added that exceptions could be made regarding salary in an effort to secure the right candidate.

Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Guardiola was seeking 20m euros per year, a figure said to be double what Italy were prepared to offer. While that underlines the scale of the challenge, it also reflects the ambition behind the federation’s search.

Italy want an appointment soon

Maldini said the ideal scenario would be to name a new coach by the end of the week, though he stressed that choosing the right person matters more than moving quickly for its own sake.

That leaves Italy balancing urgency with long-term planning. After another failure to reach the World Cup, the next appointment carries major significance, and the federation’s conversations with Ancelotti and Guardiola show the level of manager it believes is needed to lead the Azzurri forward.