Maldini: Guardiola showed serious interest in Italy manager role, nearly accepted

According to Italian media, Maldini spoke publicly for the first time since stepping down as technical director of the Italian national team and AC Milan's president, revealing details of discussions with Guardiola about the Italy coaching position.

In an interview, Maldini stated that Pep Guardiola was his first choice for Italy coach: "He is the coach who best embodies our philosophy of technical and attacking football. He expressed his interest through intermediaries, so we traveled to Barcelona to meet him. We had lunch and talked all day. He was genuinely interested—just one step away from accepting. He even began sketching formations on paper..." However, the former Barcelona and Manchester City manager ultimately declined: "He was exhausted. After ten intense years in the Premier League and recent back surgery, he needed rest. But it was a serious discussion; we analyzed youth rosters from U17 level upward. We then turned to Andrea Marago, keeping him informed every step of the way."

Regarding claims that Guardiola demanded €20 million, Maldini rejected this: "Absolutely not. Money was never the issue. Pep told us clearly: 'I would accept one euro less than the previous coach.'"

After Guardiola declined, Maldini and Leonardo pursued Andrea Pirlo: "We wanted a young coach committed to our project with sufficient pedigree. Technically, Pirlo impressed me greatly. With a technical director and consultant supporting him, he would have been ideal." However, Pirlo's previous agreement with a Russian betting company complicated matters: "It certainly created obstacles. We didn't know initially. Public opinion played a role, but legally there was nothing preventing him from coaching Italy."

Maldini saw this as pretext: "People exaggerated it. Pirlo was willing to terminate the betting company contract—he's an honorable person who didn't deserve that backlash. Some invoked moral standards and dignity codes, but if they genuinely wanted him, legal issues wouldn't have stopped it." Two other candidates were considered: "Daniele De Rossi and Fabio Grosso, both World Cup winners. However, Marago informed us that Serie A clubs' agreements—with Lazio's exception—prevented us from appointing Serie A coaches. So both were ruled out."

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