Guardiola re-appears on Italy head coach shortlist after Maldini appointment | OneFootball

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo are the new technical leaders of the Italy national team set-up, and reports on Sunday claim that Pep Guardiola has again become an option for the vacant national team head coach role under the new leadership.

Could Italy make a move for Guardiola under Maldini and Leonardo leadership?

The FIGC have recently confirmed that Maldini has been appointed as the federation’s new technical director and President of Club Italia on a four-year contract that will see him through until the end of the 2030 World Cup. He will be joined by his former Milan teammate, ex-Rossoneri and PSG director Leonardo as an advisor.

Maldini’s is a four-year project, and with unprecedented powers in his new role, he is expected to make widespread changes to the way that the national team and youth systems operate.

However, up first on his agenda is the appointment of a new head coach.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

For weeks, the two frontrunners have been Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. Conte has the backing of the Serie A clubs, while Mancini has a long-standing relationship with FIGC President Giovanni Malagò.

FIGC President Giovanni Malago (left) with coach Roberto Mancini (right): @coppa_canottieri via Instagram.

Both have held the role previously, boast vast levels of management experience, but both come with their fair share of complaints as well: There are concerns that Conte might not be the best fit on a tactical level, while Mancini’s decision to leave Italy in order to join Saudi Arabia 2023 is still a bitter pill for some to swallow.

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither Conte nor Mancini are ‘at the top of Maldini and Leonardo’s list’. Now, Guardiola has come back into the frame and the pink paper insists that the former Manchester City and Barcelona tactician is no longer a ‘fantasy’ option.

The biggest issue with Guardiola is his salary, which La Gazzetta dello Sport claims was close to €25m gross during his final season with Manchester City in 2025-26.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

The Serie A clubs are expected to make a contribution towards the salary of the new head coach in order to help bring in a top-level CT, but even so, they would not be able to provide for a salary anywhere near the level that Guardiola was earning at The Etihad.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that there is still hope, but much will depend on the discussions that take place between the key figures in this new Italy project, i.e. Maldini and Leonardo. The fact that Guardiola is reportedly keen to step into international management at some stage of his career also helps Italy.

La Gazzetta dello Sport also suggests that Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo could be among the alternative options if Italy decide against Conte, Mancini or Guardiola.