Pep Guardiola: The president of the Italian Football Federation confirmed the talks

Pep Guardiola has discussed becoming Italy head coach, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago has confirmed.

Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after 10 successful years in England, during which he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.

Since then, Italy has been without a head coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned last April After the country failed to qualify for the third consecutive World Cup.

Sky Italia first reported contact between the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the 55-year-old. monday

In an interview with the Italian digital sports media platform Changing house history,, outsider Malaga confirmed that talks have taken place with the Spaniard and that “exceptions” could be made to his salary.

“(Financial) exceptions have been made, exceptions that may concern, for example, the name that is so unpopular in this period: Pep Guardiola,” said Malago.

“Exceptions for obvious reasons that I’m not here to explain, but it’s not guaranteed that this thing will pass.”

BBC Sport has approached the Italian Football Federation for comment.

Another former Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini – who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory five years ago – and former midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who manages Dubai United, are also being considered for the role.

Asked if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo were the only candidates, Malago replied: “Absolutely not. We think of a certain profile and of course these names fall into that category.”

The Italian men’s national team has been coached by an Italian throughout its history except on two occasions.

Hungarian Lazos Czeisler was part of the technical committee in charge in the 1950s, and legendary Argentine Helenio Herrera was joint manager with Italian Ferruccio Valcaregi in the following decade.

Guardiola has never managed in the country but speaks fluent Italian and spent two seasons in Serie A from 2001 to 2003, two spells at Brescia and one at Roma.

If he is named Italy head coach, it will be a swift return to football after his spell at City ended in May, when he said: “I’m very tired. Seriously, I’m very tired.

“The memories of Barcelona and Bayern Munich are unbeatable for me but the baggage of 10 years of memories is more than anything else.”

Trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich followed during Guardiola’s time at City.