Pep Guardiola turns down Italy job due to family reasons

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to become Italy’s head coach due to family reasons, the Press Association understands.

Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed earlier this week that talks had taken place with the former Manchester City manager.

But Guardiola, who left City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League during a trophy-laden 10-year reign, now appears to be out of the running.

Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.

Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo are other candidates for the vacancy.

Malago said budget “exceptions” could be made in terms of salary for 55-year-old Spaniard Guardiola, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

But he also warned “it is not certain that this thing will go through”.

Asked if Guardiola, Mancini and Pirlo were the only names on the shortlist, Malago replied: “Absolutely not. We think about a certain profile and certainly these names fall into that category.”