Pep Guardiola has reportedly become the leading candidate to take charge of the Italy national team as the Italian Football Federation continues its search for a new head coach.
The Manchester City manager has previously expressed an openness to working in international football, and Italian officials are said to regard him as their preferred choice to lead the Azzurri into a new era.
According to reports, the federation believes Guardiola possesses the experience and pedigree to restore Italy’s status among the world’s leading national teams and challenge once again for major international honours.
However, any potential appointment is expected to face a significant obstacle due to the Spaniard’s salary demands. Guardiola remains one of the highest-paid managers in world football, making negotiations financially challenging for the federation.
Despite the cost involved, Italian football officials reportedly believe securing a coach of Guardiola’s calibre would represent a worthwhile investment.
No agreement has been reached at this stage, but Guardiola is understood to remain Italy’s primary target as the search for a new national team manager continues.
