Pep Guardiola turns down offer to become Italy's next coach: ‘If I do it, I do it 100 per cent’

Pep Guardiola turned down an offer to become Italy's next national team coach after discussions with the Italian Football Federation.

Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after a decade-long spell and chose to take a sabbatical instead of returning to management immediately.

Guardiola said he would only take the role if he could commit completely: 'If I do it, I do it 100%'.

Italy has been looking for a new head coach since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in April after the team failed to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti also turned down the offer before Guardiola; Paolo Maldini revealed the federation first approached Ancelotti.