Overview
- Pep Guardiola told Paolo Maldini late Friday that he will not take the Italy job, citing a planned sabbatical, family priorities and unwillingness to accept a role he could not run fully.
- FIGC leaders immediately pivoted to Andrea Pirlo as their preferred coach and multiple outlets report a near‑final four‑year contract worth about €1.5 million per season, though no official announcement has been made.
- Maldini and Leonardo framed the hire as part of an eight‑ to ten‑year refoundation of Italy’s national teams focused on youth development and a shared playing philosophy, which drove their preference for a coach aligned with their vision.
- The selection process produced other rejections and doubts—Gianluigi Buffon declined a delegation role, Thiago Motta reportedly turned down contact, and voices from media and politics have criticised Pirlo’s limited managerial record.
- Before Pirlo can take charge he must resolve his United FC contract and FIGC formalities including a federal council meeting on July 28, and his first major test would be Nations League fixtures starting in September.