• Former Man City boss Pep Guardiola is among the favourites to take over as the Italy manager

• Guardiola won 20 trophies at the Etihad Stadium across 10 years before leaving Man City in May

• Catalan seen as a dream candidate for the Italian Football Federation but doubts loom over wages

New reports indicate that former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has become a subject of discussion for the vacant Italy national team position.

Guardiola led a transformation at the Etihad Stadium over a decade. He averaged two trophies per season during his tenure and guided City to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title and a historic Treble.

The 55-year-old established a style of play based on possession that proved both simple and incredibly difficult to match, all while maintaining dominance in the world’s most competitive league.

Pep Guardiola originally planned extended Manchester City stay with silverware goal in mind

In a raw and emotional video, Guardiola said his goodbyes to City fans towards the end of May before his final farewell at the Etihad at the end of the previous season.

Since his departure, Enzo Maresca has been announced as the Catalan’s successor, while Guardiola accepted a global ambassador position with the City Football Group.

Even before Guardiola officially confirmed his exit, reports frequently linked him to various international coaching roles across Europe.

The Italian national team job has drawn significant attention following the nation’s failure to qualify for their third consecutive FIFA World Cup, despite their 2006 tournament victory. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola could become their next manager.

Antonio Conte and former City boss Roberto Mancini are also under consideration. However, when comparing footballing achievements and the potential to restore success to Italy, Guardiola stands out as a unique candidate.

Paolo Maldini, one of Italy’s most decorated players, assumed the role of technical director for the Italian Football Federation and president of Club Italia last week. He remains committed to appointing a world-class manager.

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In May, Guardiola admitted to friends that he would love to manage England one day, though other international opportunities, including vacancies with Spain and Brazil, have appeared since he left his post at City.

The primary obstacle remains his salary. Paying his wages would likely require contributions from Serie A clubs, and even then, it might not satisfy the Catalan, who likely expects a fee comparable to the £21 million he earned during his final season with the Citizens.

Regardless, the Italian Football Federation views Guardiola as an ideal choice and faces a significant decision regarding whether to meet those financial demands.