Pep Guardiola has declined the opportunity to manage the Italian national team.
Earlier this week, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago said talks had taken place with Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer after a decade, and that “exceptions” could be made over his salary.
On Thursday, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini revealed Italy initially approached their former player Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently in charge of Brazil.
Ancelotti has opted to remain in his role, and Guardiola has told the FIGC he will stick to his plan to take a break from football to rest, spend more time with his family and travel.
Beyond a substantial pay offer, the FIGC is understood to have effectively given Guardiola scope to shape the position as he wished, in a bid to lure one of the game’s most decorated managers to lead a side that has missed the last three World Cups.
After considering the proposal, he declined.
As things stand, former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, now head coach of Dubai-based United FC, is the leading candidate to guide Italy through an autumn Nations League group with France, Belgium and Turkey, and then attempt to qualify for Euro 2028.