Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to become Italy manager, opting to prioritise family time following his departure from Manchester City

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has rejected an offer to become head coach of the Italy national football team, choosing instead to take time away from the game following the end of his decade-long spell at the Premier League club.

Also read: Chelsea agree deal to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that the Italian Football Federation approached Guardiola this week, but the 55-year-old Spaniard declined the opportunity after considering the proposal.

According to Romano, Guardiola wants to dedicate time to his family before returning to management at a later stage.

Guardiola stepped down as Manchester City manager at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing to a close one of the most successful managerial tenures in the club’s history.

During his 10 years at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola transformed City into one of Europe’s dominant teams, winning multiple Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and several domestic trophies while establishing a possession-based style of football that influenced clubs around the world.

His departure sparked widespread speculation over his next destination, with several national teams and leading European clubs linked with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

Italy have been searching for a new direction following recent changes to their coaching setup, and Guardiola’s reputation as one of football’s most accomplished managers made him an attractive candidate for the role.

However, his decision to step back from coaching suggests he is not yet ready to begin another project, despite continued interest in his services.

Also read: Chelsea agree deal to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace

Although Guardiola has ruled out an immediate return to the touchline, his future remains one of the biggest talking points in football, with many expecting him to resume management once he is ready to embark on a new challenge.