Italy makes financial ‘exceptions’ in bid to hire Pep Guardiola as coach

The head of Italy’s football federation has confirmed he held discussions with legendary coach Pep Guardiola over the vacancy at the Italian national side, saying financial “exceptions” would be made for the former Manchester City boss if he were hired.

Giovanni Malago revealed the talks had taken place in an interview with the website Cronache di Spogliatoio (Dressing Room Chronicles) published on Wednesday.

Asked whether the budget for the coach’s salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: “Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons.”

“I won’t go into detail here, but it’s not sure that this [appointment] will come about.

“However, I still believe it was the right thing to do. It was important to open a dialogue and keep it alive,” he added.

Guardiola has firsthand knowledge of Italian football, having played for Brescia and AS Roma (2001-03).

Already at a low ebb, Italian football was sent into a tailspin in March after the men’s national team failed for a third consecutive time to qualify for the World Cup.

Italy has won four World Cups.

Guardiola, 55, stepped down at Manchester City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his glittering decade at the Etihad Stadium.

According to Italian media reports, former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini, who guided the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title, are also being considered as candidates to coach the national team, which faces Belgium on September 25 in the Nations League.