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Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City: Potential Italy national team role

Pep Guardiola is reportedly considering the Italy national team coaching role in 2026 as Manchester City prepares for his exit.

Aksel Kryhlmand

·

May 19, 2026

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Pep Guardiola, the highly successful Manchester City manager, is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, and will consider a move to international football, with the Italy national team emerging as a potential destination in the summer of 2026.

This speculation comes despite his current contract running until June 2027.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, cited by Football-Italia, Guardiola would be open to taking the helm of the Azzurri. The timing aligns with the Italy national team’s plans to appoint a new head coach after June 22, following the election of a new FIGC President.

Guardiola, who previously played as a midfielder for Italian clubs Brescia and Roma, has maintained a strong affinity for the country, even refusing to rule out coaching there in 2018.

Guardiola’s future at the Etihad

While Guardiola has publicly stated his commitment, telling BBC Sport “I am here, I have a contract” and “I have one more year” when asked about his future, sources indicate that Manchester City is already making arrangements for his expected exit.

BBC Sport reports that staff and squad members anticipate his departure at the end of the 2025-2026 campaign. The club is even reportedly considering naming the newly expanded North Stand after the Catalan manager, a testament to his transformative tenure.

Should Guardiola leave City, reports suggest he would not accept an offer from another club. Instead, he would prefer a break to recuperate from the intense demands of his years at the Etihad Stadium. A national team role, with its less rigorous day-to-day schedule compared to club management, could offer an ideal compromise, potentially allowing him to avoid a full sabbatical like the one he took in 2012 after leaving Barcelona.

A legacy of dominance

Guardiola’s potential departure would mark the end of an extraordinary era at Manchester City. Since taking over for the 2016-17 season, he has guided the club to an astonishing 17 major trophies, contributing to a total of 20 honours.

His achievements include six Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, three FA Cups, and five EFL Cups. His first season, 2016-17, was his only campaign without a trophy, but he quickly established dominance, leading City to a record 100 points and 106 goals in the 2017-18 Premier League season.

The prospect of Guardiola leading Italy has captured the imagination of many, including former Italy international Bonucci. Commenting on the speculation, Bonucci remarked, “I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.” Meanwhile, Manchester City is reportedly looking at former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola at City, as a frontrunner to succeed him.

Sources: football-italia.net, www.bbc.com