Italy pursue Pep Guardiola for national team job after Carlo Ancelotti rejection

The Italian football federation (FIGC) is pursuing Pep Guardiola for the national team manager position after Carlo Ancelotti rejected the offer.

FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini confirmed talks with both Guardiola and Ancelotti, who currently coaches Brazil.

The search follows Italy's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, leading to the resignation of head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina.

Maldini and special advisor Leonardo spent three days in Barcelona discussing the vacancy with Guardiola, who is out of work after leaving Manchester City.

Italy must appoint a new coach by September for their UEFA Nations League group stage matches against France, Belgium, and Turkey.