Italy turn to Pirlo after Guardiola rejects job

Pep Guardiola has said no to Italy, making Andrea Pirlo the new favourite for the role.

Candidate

Andrea Pirlo

Current role

Dubai United head coach

Previous jobs

Sampdoria, Fatih Karagumruk, Juventus

Other candidates

Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte

What happened. Pep Guardiola has declined the offer to become Italy's next head coach, leading the FIGC to consider Andrea Pirlo as the top alternative.

Guardiola's €20m salary request and remote work concerns were factors.
Pirlo has been at Dubai United since July 2025.
Maldini also spoke to Carlo Ancelotti, but he is staying with Brazil.

Italy must now decide between Pirlo and other candidates like Mancini or Conte.

In this story

Italy

Guardiola

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