The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has held no official talks or made any formal proposals to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) regarding the current manager of the Brazilian national team, according to recent sporting reports. Italy’s search for a new head coach follows their failure to qualify for the World Cup, a slump that has left the federation weighing high-profile candidates including Pep Guardiola.
Paolo Maldini Confirms Interest in Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti
Paolo Maldini, the director of national teams for the FIGC, addressed the media in a press conference to clarify the federation’s managerial shortlist. According to Maldini, the governing body has already evaluated multiple top-tier candidates to replace the outgoing staff. “We cannot give news about what is happening, you identified one of the targets, but we also talked with Carlo Ancelotti,” Maldini stated during the press briefing. While Guardiola remains free in the transfer market, Maldini admitted that high salary demands could pose a significant financial hurdle for the Italian federation.
Did you know?
Italy missed out on qualification for the World Cup for the third time following a decisive playoff defeat to Bosnia under former manager Gennaro Gattuso.
Urgency in the Italian Camp After World Cup Miss
The FIGC faces mounting pressure to finalize an appointment quickly. Maldini acknowledged to reporters that he had originally hoped to announce the new manager within the week. Despite the urgency, the director emphasized that the federation is prepared to wait to secure a coach who matches their long-term sporting ambitions. “It seemed right to start with the best in the world, but it is necessary to verify general availability,” Maldini explained regarding the complex negotiation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have there been official talks between Italy and the CBF?
No. According to recent reports, there has been neither an official proposal nor concrete conversation between the Italian Football Federation and the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Who are the primary managerial targets for Italy?
Paolo Maldini confirmed that the FIGC has discussed targets including Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
Why is the Italian national team searching for a new coach?
The search began after Gennaro Gattuso left his post following a playoff loss to Bosnia, which sealed Italy’s absence from a third straight World Cup.
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