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Pep Guardiola has officially rejected an offer from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to become the next head coach of the Italy national team. The 55-year-old manager communicated his final decision overnight after considering an ambitious proposal to lead the Azzurri.
The high-level push to hire Guardiola was led directly by newly appointed FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo, who envisioned him anchoring a long-term “Azzurro Project” to rebuild Italian football. However, Guardiola ultimately declined, telling officials, “Thank you, I am honoured, but at this moment I don’t feel up to it.”
