Malagò Opens Door for Guardiola as Italy Coach, but Budget and Uncertainty Remain

FolioPitch.com – 22 July 2026 | In a development that has sent shockwaves through Italian football, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò has confirmed that Pep Guardiola’s wages as Italy coach would be ‘an exception’ to the budget, but cautioned that there is no guarantee the move will happen. The headline news — Malagò Guardiola wages an exception for Italy budget but no guarantee — underscores the complexity of appointing a manager of Guardiola’s caliber.

Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio and Gazzetta dello Sport, Malagò addressed the financial implications of hiring the former Manchester City boss. ‘There are certain financial aspects to be considered, and it’s an understatement to say we’d have to grit our teeth for this,’ he stated. ‘Some exceptions have been made, for example exceptions that regard the name making such waves at the moment: Pep Guardiola. I don’t need to sit here and explain the obvious reasons why he’d be an exception, but that is also no guarantee that this will go through.’

The reports of Guardiola’s potential appointment erupted over the last 48 hours, following a trip to Barcelona by Italy technical director Paolo Maldini and his special advisor Leonardo. The pair met Guardiola for weekend talks, presenting a genuine, concerted effort to convince the former Manchester City manager to take the helm of the Nazionale. It had been widely assumed that Guardiola’s salary demands would make the move impossible, but Malagò’s remarks have now opened the door.

‘I think it was right and important to open a dialogue and keep it alive,’ Malagò said, referring to the Maldini-Leonardo mission. However, he was quick to dampen any premature celebrations, emphasizing that the Malagò Guardiola wages an exception for Italy budget but no guarantee scenario means the Federation is still weighing its options.

When asked about other candidates, including Antonio Conte, Andrea Pirlo, and Roberto Mancini, Malagò revealed that Conte had not been contacted for the job. ‘It is certainly not a lack of respect towards other people, because there has already been a discussion with others, and one can opt for someone who is perhaps of a more recent school of thought, so it’s a very subjective matter.’

The list of potential successors is not limited to Guardiola, Pirlo, and Mancini. ‘Absolutely not, we are thinking about a certain profile, and these names are definitely within that category,’ Malagò replied when asked if the shortlist had been narrowed down. This suggests that the Federation is keeping its options open, even as the Guardiola rumor intensifies.

The financial hurdle remains significant. Guardiola’s wages at Manchester City were among the highest in world football, and while the FIGC may treat this as an exceptional case, the budget constraints of the Italian Federation are well-documented. The phrase ‘Malagò Guardiola wages an exception for Italy budget but no guarantee’ perfectly encapsulates the delicate balancing act the Federation must perform: acknowledging the allure of a world-class coach while managing limited resources.

Moreover, the involvement of Maldini and Leonardo indicates a long-term vision for the national team. Both figures have deep ties to Italian football and are known for their strategic thinking. Their presence in the negotiations adds weight to the idea that Guardiola is a serious target, but the lack of guarantee leaves room for other contenders.

Antonio Conte, a former Italy coach and current Napoli manager, has not been contacted, according to Malagò. This may signal a shift in the Federation’s preferred profile — away from the intense, tactically rigid style of Conte toward a more modern, possession-based approach epitomized by Guardiola. However, Conte’s success at club level and his prior experience with Italy make him a plausible fallback option.

Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini both have previous ties to the national team. Pirlo, currently coaching in Turkey, enjoyed a brief stint as Italy’s youth coach before moving to club management. Mancini led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 but was dismissed after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Either could be considered a safer, more affordable choice than dealing with the Malagò Guardiola wages an exception for Italy budget but no guarantee scenario.

As the speculation continues, the Italian public remains divided. Some see Guardiola as a transformative figure who could elevate the Nazionale to new heights, while others worry about the financial burden and the potential for a high-profile failure. The Federation is clearly exploring every avenue, but as Malagò stressed, there is no certainty.

In conclusion, the search for Italy’s next coach is far from over. The intriguing possibility of Pep Guardiola taking charge has captured the imagination, but the realities of budget and uncertainty loom large. The statement ‘Malagò Guardiola wages an exception for Italy budget but no guarantee’ will likely remain the defining theme until a decision is reached. Whether the Federation ultimately secures Guardiola or turns to another candidate, the process underscores the challenges of blending ambition with fiscal prudence.