Maldini confirms FIGC have held talks with Guardiola and Ancelotti

Paolo Maldini has confirmed that the Italian football federation (FIGC) has held talks with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti about the vacant national team job. The federation hopes to announce the new Italy coach within the week, with the Azzurri still reeling after failing for a third straight time to qualify for the World Cup.

Maldini's statement follows a period of turmoil for the national side, which has missed out on three successive World Cups. The FIGC has talked to Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester City coach, and Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazil manager, about taking over the crisis-hit national team. The discussions reflect an urgent search for leadership after another failure to reach the global finals. The pace of the process has been brisk; officials are aiming for a swift resolution.

Sources within the federation described exploratory conversations with both candidates as part of a broader recruitment drive. Pep Guardiola remains available on the market and has been linked with various roles since leaving Manchester City, while Carlo Ancelotti continues to fulfil his responsibilities with Brazil. Guardiola is out of work while Ancelotti is still with Brazil, a contrast that shapes the logistics and timing of any potential appointment. The FIGC must weigh the practicalities of securing each coach amid differing current commitments.

Those inside the FIGC say the aim is to stabilise a national set-up shaken by successive qualification failures. Italy have failed to qualify for last three World Cups, an unprecedented run that has intensified scrutiny from supporters and media alike. The federation’s leadership has signalled that appointing a high-profile manager is a priority to restore confidence and chart a new direction. Any successor will inherit significant expectations and a mandate to rebuild.

Negotiations are expected to consider contractual terms, availability, and how quickly a new coach could assume control. With the summer calendar and international commitments ongoing, the federation faces a constrained window to conclude talks and formalise an agreement. The FIGC’s stated intention is to move quickly; the one-week target underlines the urgency attached to the role. Stakeholders will watch closely for confirmation of the next head coach.

The appointment decision will be judged against the wider need to reverse a worrying trend in Italian football. The FIGC hopes to announce the new Italy coach within the week, leaving little time before preparations must begin for forthcoming fixtures. For a nation unaccustomed to missing major tournaments, the choice of manager will be scrutinised as a defining moment for the Azzurri’s recovery.