Pep Guardiola has turned down the Italy national team's top coaching job, walking away from a €20 million annual salary to take a sabbatical instead. The decision, confirmed by sources close to the negotiations, ends weeks of advanced talks between the Spanish manager and the Italian Football Federation.
The offer from Italy
Italy's proposal was one of the richest ever made to a national team coach. The €20 million per year package would have made Guardiola the highest-paid manager in international football, far exceeding what most federation budgets can handle. Negotiations had reached an advanced stage before Guardiola informed Italian officials of his choice.
Why the sabbatical
Guardiola has not publicly explained his reasons, but people familiar with his thinking say he's been feeling the toll of continuous management at the highest level. After a demanding run with Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League, Guardiola wants a break from the sideline grind. A sabbatical lets him step away completely rather than jump into another high-pressure role.
What this means for Italy
The Italian federation now goes back to the drawing board. They had zeroed in on Guardiola after Luciano Spalletti's tenure ended, believing a world-class name could elevate a talented but inconsistent squad. With Guardiola out, Italy's shortlist likely expands to candidates who are available immediately and willing to work within the federation's budget — a far cry from the €20 million salary they were prepared to pay.
Who will take over remains an open question. Italy has a Nations League campaign to prepare for, and the federation wants a coach in place before the end of the year. Guardiola's rejection leaves them scrambling for a Plan B.
