Pep Guardiola linked with stunning move to shock team as Man City uncertainty increases | OneFootball

After suffering a devastating playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Azzurri will officially miss out on the 2026 World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from football’s biggest stage. That unthinkable failure prompted the immediate departure of manager Gennaro Gattuso.

Now, as the Italian Federation desperately looks to pick up the shattered pieces, an absolute bombshell name has emerged.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester City’s mastermind, Pep Guardiola, is genuinely open to taking on the monumental task of rebuilding the Italian national team.

The Spanish tactician actually has some incredibly deep ties to the country.

Pep Guardiola to become the new Italy boss?

During his playing days, Guardiola had stints with Serie A sides Brescia and Roma.

He already speaks the language fluently and has never shied away from his long-term ambition to eventually manage a national team at a major tournament like the World Cup or European Championship.

Pep is currently tied down to a lucrative Man City contract that runs until June 2027.

There is also a massive, elephant-sized financial hurdle. Guardiola earns around €24.8 million gross at City, a figure that wildly exceeds Italy’s traditional wage structure.

The reports of Guardiola leaving Man City have resurfaced once again in the media, suggesting that his time at the Etihad Stadium could be over soon.

Man City boss is highly respected in Italy

Within the Italian camp, the excitement is already bubbling. Historic defensive legend Leonardo Bonucci recently went on record at the Laureus Awards, stating that if Italy truly wants a “radical change,” Guardiola is the absolute perfect man for the job.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is scheduled to hold massive presidential elections on June 22.

Interestingly, current executives reportedly want to make contact before that date in order to present Guardiola as the definitive leader of their new sporting project.

While the finances and timing make it a massively complicated deal to pull off, the sheer prospect of “Operation Guardiola” is finally giving brokenhearted Italian fans a glimmer of hope.