Pep Guardiola has reportedly turned down the opportunity to become Italy's next head coach despite an ambitious approach from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
According to reports in Italy, the former Manchester City boss informed the FIGC of his decision on Thursday, with personal reasons said to be behind his rejection rather than football-related factors.
Italy have been searching for a new manager since Gennaro Gattuso departed after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Italy presented Guardiola with long-term vision
The FIGC is understood to have made Guardiola its top target and was prepared to stretch its budget to secure the Spaniard's appointment.
Technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo reportedly spent three days meeting Guardiola in Barcelona, outlining a long-term strategy that extended well beyond coaching the senior national team.
The proposal centred on making Guardiola the figurehead of a complete rebuild of Italian football, overseeing not only the senior side but helping shape the direction of the country's entire national team structure.
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Despite listening carefully to the plans, Guardiola ultimately declined the offer.
With the former City manager no longer available, former Italy coach Roberto Mancini and World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo are among the leading candidates to take charge.
Guardiola sticking to his plans away from football
Guardiola became a free agent earlier this year after ending his hugely successful 10-year spell at Manchester City, where he collected 20 major trophies and established himself as one of the most successful managers in the club's history.
Before leaving England, the 55-year-old made it clear that he intended to step away from coaching for a period rather than immediately take on another job.
"No plans for [coaching] for a while. Otherwise I would be here. I need to step back. I will not [coach] for a while," Guardiola said during his final Manchester City press conference.
"I feel I will not have the energy every day, with expectations to fight for the title. I know myself, I have that energy, but I feel like I will not have it."
He also explained that spending more time with his family was a key motivation behind his decision.
"There are things that I have not done that I want to do. I still have my father alive. I want to spend more time with him. My kids... And a lot of things as a human being I can do."
Although Guardiola has previously indicated that international football appeals to him more than another club role, his wait for a first job in the international game looks set to continue.
