💣Guardiola would be the linchpin: Italy’s rebuild plan

💣Guardiola would be the linchpin: Italy’s rebuild plan

Italian football is seeking a paradigm shift that goes beyond tactics to become an emotional phenomenon. After years of sporting disappointments, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has set its sights on the biggest name in the game: Pep Guardiola. The possibility of the current Manchester City manager taking charge of the Azzurra has gone from being a simple wish to a strategic operation already being worked on in the federation’s offices.

The financial obstacle and the "sponsorship route"

The main stumbling block is, without a doubt, financial. With a salary of around €24.8 million in England, Guardiola’s numbers are out of reach for the FIGC’s usual budgets. However, Gazzetta dello Sport points to a creative solution: sponsor involvement. There is already a precedent in Antonio Conte in 2014, whose salary was co-financed by commercial partners. On this occasion, the Puma brand, closely linked to both Guardiola and the national team, could be the key to bringing the sides closer together.

A dream with emotional roots

For Guardiola, Italy is not just any destination. His time at Brescia and Roma left a deep mark; he speaks the language and knows the culture. In addition, the coach has repeatedly expressed his desire to manage at a World Cup or a European Championship. "I would like to experience a major international tournament," he admitted some time ago.

With figures such as Leonardo Bonucci backing his arrival, and after Gattuso’s departure, Italy sees Pep as the man capable of relaunching its global image. Although he is still under contract with City, the wear and tear of day-to-day club management could push the Catalan toward the national-team bench. The road is complex, but in Italy they are clear that dreaming of a "Pep in Azzurri blue" is, at the very least, an obligation.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.