Credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images

(CNN)-- Italian Football Federation President Giovanni Malagò confirmed his attempt to contract Pep Guardiola to lead the 'Azzurri'.

Gennaro Gattuso had resigned as coach of the Italian national team last April, following the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which was held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In remarks reported by EuroSport on Wednesday, Malagò said regarding the appointment of a new coach for the 'Azzurri': 'Financial exceptions have been made (to complete any deal), exceptions that may relate, for example, to the name that dominates everything in these hours, Pep Guardiola.'

He added: 'There are exceptions for obvious reasons that I will not explain, but it is not certain that this will succeed.'

Guardiola had left English club Manchester City this summer, after having led them for 10 seasons, during which he achieved several titles, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

Pep Guardiola has never coached any national team during his nearly 18-year coaching career; he had led German club Bayern Munich and Spanish club Barcelona alongside the 'Citizens'.