Pep Guardiola ‘REJECTS’ lucrative return to management with ex-Man City boss focusing on different priorities

PEP GUARDIOLA has reportedly turned down the chance to lead the Italy national team. While the iconic manager considered the role, he has decided to dedicate some time to his family for now. Former Man City manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to manage Italy Credit: Reuters The iconic manager wants to spend time with his family after only recently leaving City Credit: Getty Fabrizio Romano reported the news, saying that the Spanish manager has ‘said no’ to the Italian football federation. Guardiola wants to prioritise time with his family to recharge before a return to football, according to Romano. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! It was revealed earlier in the week that the three-time Champions League winning manager was in the running for the vacant Italy job. The Italian federation were even willing to scrap their usual wage structure, in order to lure Guardiola. But it seems that we won’t see the Spaniard in charge of the Azzurri ahead of Euro 2028. He left the Etihad this summer after 10 years in Manchester. Guardiola delivered six Premier League titles and a first ever Champions League for Man City, in a period of serial dominance. Rumours have also circulated linking him to the England job, despite Thomas Tuchel being expected to continue for Euro 2028 on home soil. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Guardiola verbally agreed to the England job in 2024 before changing his mind. Meanwhile, the Italians, who have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups, also reportedly had their eyes on legendary gaffer Carlo Ancelotti. However, reports suggest that ‘Don Carlo’ plans to stay in his current role at Brazil. Romano reported that the ex-Real Madrid manager has “no intention” to become Italy’s next coach. So Ancelotti, who was part of Arrigo Sacchi’s Italy coaching staff from 1992-95, evidently has no intention of making a return to his country’s national team. Brazil legend Romario recently called for Ancelotti to be sacked, labelling his nation’s last-16 exit to Norway an “embarrassment”. Comment now