Guardiola snubs Italy job: ex-Man City boss turns down Azzurri after talks, citing personal reasons | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to become the next head coach of Italy.

The Italian Football Federation held talks with Guardiola over the vacant role as part of an ambitious bid to recruit the formerManchester City manager.

Guardiola stepped down from his role as Manchester City manager at the end of last season, following a decade of success that included sixPremier League titles and the Champions League, among 20 trophies.

Italy had hoped to convince the former AS Roma and Brescia midfielder to lead their rebuild, following the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup.

The four-time world champions have missed three consecutive World Cup finals, having gone 60 years without missing a tournament between 1958 and 2018.

However,Sky Italy are reporting that Guardiola has rejected the approach from the Azzurri. The 55-year-old informed Italy that he did not wish to take the role due to 'personal reasons' outside of football.

Italy will continue toe search to find a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who left following their failed World Cup qualification campaign.