Pep Guardiola could take a very surprising next step following his departure from Man City The potential departure of Pep Guardiola from Manchester City has sparked speculation about his future role in Italian football, particularly in the wake of Italy’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. Following Italy’s dramatic elimination in the World Cup qualifying play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina, national team manager Gennaro Gattuso faces mounting pressure to resign. La Gazzetta dello Sport has now suggested that Guardiola could be among the leading candidates to replace Gattuso, despite his current contract with Manchester City, which runs until 2027. The rumors of Guardiola’s possible exit from City have persisted despite his long-term commitment to the club. While a transfer in the summer remains uncertain, the Italian Football Federation is reportedly already in advanced discussions to find a successor for Gattuso. Massimiliano Allegri, the current AC Milan manager, is considered the federation’s preferred choice, but his appointment appears unlikely due to his existing contract with Milan, which extends until 2027. This has shifted the focus to a potential contest between Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, both of whom are currently under contract with foreign clubs. Mancini, who previously led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021, is tied to Al-Sadd in Saudi Arabia until 2028. Conte, meanwhile, remains with Napoli until 2027, having previously coached Italy from 2014 to 2016. Both managers would be returning to the national team setup, with Conte’s experience in Italian football and Mancini’s recent success with Italy making them strong contenders.#italy #pep_guardiola #massimiliano_allegri #gennaro_gattuso #italian_football_federation
