Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Football Federation, confirmed that Josep Guardiola held talks about taking over as coach of the Italian national team. Malago added that the Italian federation may resort to offering 'exceptions' regarding salary in order to sign Guardiola (55 years old), the former manager of Manchester City.

The British news agency PA Media reported that Guardiola, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, left Manchester City at the end of last season after winning six English Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and the Champions League during his 10-year tenure in charge of the team.

Other reports mentioned that he rejected the Italian offer. Gennaro Gattuso resigned as coach of the Italian national team last April, after the Italian team, winner of four World Cup titles, failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Malago said: 'Financial exceptions have been made before, and these exceptions may include the name that has been strongly raised in recent hours, namely Josep Guardiola.'

He added: 'These exceptions have clear reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this step will be taken.' Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to win the European Championship (Euro 2020), and former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo are among other candidates for the position.

When asked if Guardiola, Mancini, and Pirlo were the only ones on the shortlist, Malago replied: 'Certainly not. We are looking for a coach with specific characteristics, and undoubtedly these names fall within that framework.'