Pep Guardiola will not attempt to become the savior of Italian football, as reports confirm he has declined the opportunity to manage the national team.
By the time the 2030 FIFA World Cup rolls around, there will be adults who won’t remember watching the Italian national team at the ultimate football tournament in the world.
After missing their third-straight World Cup, Italy reportedly pursued managerial legend Pep Guardiola to lead the nation. Unfortunately, the Spanish manager won’t be taking the reins for Italy.
Pep Guardiola passed on becoming Italy’s next manager
The Athletic is reporting that Guardiola is out of the race for Italy’s top football job, declining the opportunity a week after the Italian Football Federation’s technical director, Paolo Maldini, confirmed they were interested in Guardiola.
“However, sources with knowledge of discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said the conversations with the former Manchester City manager had not advanced, and he had turned down the opportunity.”
Guardiola is among the most successful club managers of all time, having won three La Liga titles, three Bundesliga titles, six Premier League titles, three Copa del Rey titles, two DFB Pokals, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, and three UEFA Champions League titles, among many other accolades.
He’s never coached an international team and was also recruited by the English FA before they hired Thomas Tuchel. However, it doesn’t look like Guardiola is taking on a new challenge anytime soon.
Pep Guardiola’s reported reasoning for not accepting the Italy job
La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported what Guardiola said to Maldini while turning down the opportunity this summer.
“Thank you, I feel honored, but right now I don’t feel capable.”
Guardiola just wrapped up a 10-year tenure as the manager of Manchester City. The 55-year-old will likely take a break before confirming his next move, spending the last two decades as one of the leading managers in Europe.
Guardiola is definitely capable from a tactical perspective to help Italy return to the World Cup after missing the last three editions.
However, if he doesn’t feel ready for the challenge, it’s best to wait until he has the motivation to lead a national team to the highest levels, especially if it’s not his home country, Spain.
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