**Title: Real Madrid Legend Ancelotti Rivals Barcelona Great Guardiola for Italy Job**
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is in discussions with two of football's most renowned coaches, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, as it seeks a new manager for the national team, which is currently facing a crisis following its failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. An announcement regarding the new coach is expected within the week.
The FIGC's search comes on the heels of significant changes within the organization, including the appointment of former Italy and AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini as the federation's new technical director. Maldini, alongside FIGC president Giovanni Malago and special adviser Leonardo, recently held a meeting with Serie A clubs, where he acknowledged the ongoing talks with both Guardiola and Ancelotti.
When asked about Guardiola's potential candidacy, Maldini confirmed, "Honestly, we can’t give news about what’s happening. You’ve identified one of our targets. We can’t hide that we also talked with Carlo Ancelotti before talking with Pep. Honestly, it seemed right to start with the best in the world, to see their general availability."
Guardiola, who departed Manchester City at the end of the last season, has a storied coaching career that includes a remarkable 35 major titles, achieved during his time with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. His tenure at City transformed the club into a dominant force in European football, and his tactical acumen is highly regarded.
Maldini and Leonardo recently spent three days in Barcelona discussing the Italy coaching position with Guardiola, indicating the seriousness of their interest. "The best thing would be to announce the new coach this week, but even more to wait for the person we really want," Maldini stated, emphasizing the balance between urgency and careful consideration in their decision-making process.
On the other hand, Ancelotti, currently under contract with Brazil until the 2030 World Cup, is also a strong contender. Despite this contract, Brazil's disappointing exit in the round of 16 at the recent World Cup has raised questions about his future. The 67-year-old coach is celebrated for his extensive success, having won league titles across Italy, England, France, Spain, and Germany, as well as being the only manager to have claimed the Champions League trophy five times.
The urgency for a new coach stems from Italy's recent struggles, which culminated in a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, leading to the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso. Gattuso had taken over from Luciano Spalletti just the previous June, but the team’s performance had already been faltering, highlighted by an early defeat to Norway in their qualifying campaign.
In addition to Ancelotti and Guardiola, other notable candidates for the Italy coaching role include former coaches Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to victory in the 2021 European Championship, and Antonio Conte. Andrea Pirlo, who was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad, is also reportedly in the mix.
As the FIGC navigates this critical juncture, the decision on the next head coach will be pivotal in shaping the future of Italian football, particularly as the national team seeks to regain its status among the elite in international competition. The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as Italy aims to rebound from its recent setbacks and reestablish itself on the world stage.