Pep Guardiola on the Italy bench. An idea that until a few months ago seemed like pure science fiction and which today, however, is being reported by various sources as a concrete possibility. At the moment there are no official confirmations, but the name of the former Manchester City coach is said to be among those considered by the new federation management to lead the rebirth of the Azzurri national team.

The Guardiola idea is part of a much broader project. With Giovanni Malagò at the helm of the FIGC and the new tandem of Paolo Maldini, appointed technical director, and Leonardo as strategic consultant, Italy seems to have taken a different path compared to the recent past. The goal is to rebuild not just the senior national team, but the entire system, bringing expertise, planning, and a long-term vision back to the forefront. In this context, Guardiola would perfectly symbolize the desire to open a new cycle.

According to various sources, Maldini and Leonardo are believed to have met with Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the FIGC’s technical project with him. The operation remains extremely complex, both from an economic standpoint and because the Catalan coach is reportedly keen to take a break after his long stint at Manchester City. However, his name continues to represent the great dream of Italian football. Guardiola’s possible arrival would mark a turning point of historic proportions. Italy would entrust its rebuilding to a coach who, in the last twenty years, has redefined the modern approach to football.

Guardiola’s career speaks for itself. After ending his playing career, in 2008 he was given the Barcelona bench. In his first season he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, achieving a historic treble. In the following four years he won a total of 14 trophies, creating one of the strongest teams in football history.

It was with that Barcelona side that Tiki Taka reached its highest expression. A style of football based on ball possession, intelligent use of space, immediate pressing, and extraordinary technical quality, which enhanced superstars like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández, and Andrés Iniesta. This identity influenced an entire generation of coaches and still serves as a reference point today.

In 2013, Guardiola began a new challenge at Bayern Munich, where he won three consecutive Bundesligas and seven trophies overall, confirming his place among the most innovative coaches on the international stage.

The highlight of his career, however, came at Manchester City. In ten seasons he built a veritable dynasty, winning six Premier Leagues, numerous domestic cups, and above all the Champions League in 2023, completing a historic treble also with the English club. Under his guidance, City became a global benchmark for the quality of their play, consistency of results, and ability to evolve season after season. In total, Guardiola has earned 40 official trophies as a coach, a record that places him among the most successful managers in football history.

For many insiders, Guardiola is the greatest coach in history, or at least one of the two or three most influential ever. Not only for the number of trophies he has won, but above all for having changed the way modern football is conceived. His ideas have redefined concepts like playing out from the back, organized pressing, the use of space, and the constant search for a numerical advantage, influencing hundreds of coaches all over the world.

Of course, there are still several obstacles between dream and reality. Guardiola’s salary would be very high compared to FIGC standards and it is still unclear whether the coach is truly ready for his first experience at the helm of a national team. The coming weeks will be decisive in understanding whether this idea can turn into real negotiations or will remain just one of Italian football’s greatest dreams.

One thing, however, is clear: the new Italy wants to start thinking big again. And if the first name on the table is Pep Guardiola—the coach who, more than anyone else, has shaped the evolution of football over the last twenty years—it means that the Azzurri’s rebuilding starts from an ambition that hasn’t been seen in a long time.