Italy’s new technical director Paolo Maldini has publicly confirmed that the Italian football federation (FIGC) initiated discussions with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola as it searches for a successor to Gennaro Gattuso, who stepped down in April after the Azzurri failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Speaking at a press conference alongside FIGC president Giovanni Malagò and advisor Leonardo, Maldini stated: “We cannot hide the fact that we also spoke to Carlo Ancelotti before talking to Pep. Frankly, it seemed right to start with those we considered the best in the world.”

The approach to Ancelotti, a former Italy international and current Brazil head coach, faces a clear contractual obstacle. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed the 67-year-old will remain in charge of the Seleção until 2030, despite the team’s elimination by Norway in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Guardiola, who left Manchester City in May after a decade, is on a sabbatical and has not rushed to return to management. Maldini and Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to present the federation’s long-term project to the Catalan coach, but according to multiple Italian media reports, Guardiola has sought an annual salary of €20 million – double the FIGC’s reported offer of around €10 million.

Maldini stressed that the federation is prioritising the right appointment over a rapid one. “The ideal would be to name the coach this week, but it is even more important to wait for the person we really want. There is urgency, but deep down not that much,” he said. The FIGC has drawn up a list of alternatives that includes former European Championship-winning coach Roberto Mancini, former midfielder Andrea Pirlo, and Antonio Conte, who led Italy between 2014 and 2016. However, federation sources indicate that no alternative will be formally pursued until Guardiola delivers a definitive response.

The new leadership, installed after the resignation of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, has outlined an ambitious restructuring plan spanning up to a decade, aimed at overhauling youth development and unifying the national team’s playing philosophy. Leonardo, the advisor, said the next coach must share this vision and work in “harmony of thought” with the technical directorate. With Italy’s next competitive fixtures scheduled for the Nations League in September, the federation faces mounting pressure to finalise the appointment, but for now the dossier remains open, awaiting Guardiola’s decision.