The past period witnessed the name of the veteran Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, the former technical director of Manchester City, being linked with leading the Italian national team in the coming period, in hopes of restoring the glories of "the Azzurri".
Italian press reports indicated that Guardiola rejected the offer submitted by the Italian Football Federation, preferring to devote himself to his family in the coming period, alongside his desire to take a period of rest.
The 55-year-old left Manchester City at the end of last season, after leading "the Citizens" for ten years, during which he achieved numerous domestic and continental titles.
Despite the extension of Guardiola's contract with Manchester City, he preferred not to complete it, prompting the English club's management to respond to his wish, before appointing Italian Enzo Maresca as the team's technical director.
Decisive response
"Yalla Koura" contacted Josep Maria Orobitg, Pep Guardiola's agent, to discuss the Spanish coach's future and his next plans.
Guardiola's agent said: "My client has decided to take a rest during the next season and will not discuss any offers, and his decision to return to coaching will come after a year."
This statement settles "the Philosopher's" future in the coaching world, after his name was recently linked with taking charge of the Italian national team.
Guardiola has a record full of successes, having won numerous titles during his career with Spanish Barcelona, German Bayern Munich, and English Manchester City.
Guardiola began his coaching career with Barcelona in 2008 and continued until 2012, before moving to Bayern Munich, which he led between 2013 and 2016.
His most prominent stop remains with Manchester City, which he coached for ten years, from 2016 until 2026.
During his career, Guardiola won the Spanish league title three times, the German league title three times, and the English league title six times.
He also won the UEFA Champions League title twice with Barcelona and once with Manchester City in the 2022-2023 season, in addition to being crowned with the award for best coach in the world three times.