SBOTOP : Maldini Reveals Guardiola’s Italy Plan Formation Already Set, Youth Teams Studied

Pep Guardiola could have taken charge of the Italy national team, and according to Paolo Maldini, the possibility was far more serious than many people previously realized.

Maldini has revealed that Guardiola was genuinely tempted by the opportunity and had already started thinking about Italy’s tactical setup. The Spanish coach reportedly even began writing down possible formations while discussing the project with Maldini and Leonardo.

The revelation comes from an interview Maldini gave to Corriere della Sera, in which the former Italy defender discussed his time as technical director of the Italian Football Federation.

At the time, Maldini and his adviser Leonardo were actively exploring the possibility of bringing Guardiola into the Italy setup. The two men travelled to Barcelona to meet the former Barcelona and Manchester City manager and discuss the potential project.

What happened during that meeting provides a fascinating glimpse into how close Italy may have come to appointing one of the most influential coaches in modern football.

Guardiola Was Seriously Tempted by Italy

According to Maldini, Guardiola was not simply listening to the proposal out of curiosity.

The former Barcelona and Manchester City manager was genuinely interested in the possibility of coaching a national team.

Maldini explained that Guardiola had previously told people close to him that he wanted to experience international management at some point.

“He had told some of his friends that he wanted to coach a national team. We went to meet him in Barcelona, had lunch together, and then talked all day,” Maldini said.

The meeting quickly became serious.

Maldini claimed that Guardiola was so interested that he had already started thinking about how his Italy team could look on the pitch.

“He was very tempted. He almost accepted it. He even started writing formations on some sheets of paper,” Maldini revealed.

That detail suggests the project had moved well beyond an initial conversation.

Guardiola was apparently already considering tactical possibilities and how he could shape the Italian national team.

Guardiola Was Studying Italy’s Player Pool

The potential Italy project was not limited to the senior squad.

Maldini revealed that the group had started examining Italian players from the U-17 level and above.

That would have been crucial for Guardiola.

Unlike club football, international managers have limited time with their players. Building a successful national team therefore requires a detailed understanding of the available talent pool.

The project reportedly involved looking at:

1. Senior Italy internationals.
2. Players coming through the U-21 system.
3. U-19 prospects.
4. U-17 players with long-term potential.
5. Tactical combinations that could work across different age groups.

Maldini’s comments indicate that Guardiola was already thinking about Italy’s future rather than simply focusing on the immediate senior squad.

“We studied the squad starting from U-17 and upwards,” Maldini said.

That level of preparation makes Guardiola’s interest in the Italy job even more intriguing.

Money Was Not the Reason Guardiola Said No

One of the biggest revelations from Maldini’s interview concerns Guardiola’s reported salary demands.

At the time, reports in Italy suggested that Guardiola wanted around €20 million per season to take charge of the national team.

Maldini strongly rejected that explanation.

“Absolutely not. Money was never the problem,” Maldini said.

According to Maldini, Guardiola even indicated that he would have accepted less money than the previous Italy coach.

“Pep said clearly to us: Give me one euro less than what the previous coach earned and I have no problem,” Maldini recalled.

That claim completely changes the narrative surrounding Guardiola’s decision.

Rather than rejecting Italy because of financial demands, the main obstacle was apparently Guardiola’s physical and mental condition after a demanding period in England.

Exhaustion Changed Guardiola’s Decision

Maldini believes fatigue was the decisive factor.

Guardiola had spent around a decade working in the Premier League, first with Manchester City, and the demands of that period had taken their toll.

Maldini explained that Guardiola had also undergone back surgery and wanted to take some time away from football.

“It was because of exhaustion. Guardiola had just gone through 10 very exhausting years in the Premier League. He also underwent back surgery and wanted to rest,” Maldini said.

For Guardiola, the Italy job represented a completely different challenge.

International football offers fewer training sessions and fewer matches, but the pressure surrounding the national team can be enormous.

The timing simply did not appear to be right.

Maldini and Leonardo Then Turned to Pirlo

Once Guardiola decided not to take the position, Maldini and Leonardo had to consider another option.

Their next choice was Andrea Pirlo.

Maldini explained that the FIGC president, Giovanni Malagò, was aware of the process and received updates as discussions developed.

“So then we chose Andrea. Malagò knew everything; we informed him step by step,” Maldini said.

Pirlo, one of Italy’s greatest midfielders, appeared to be the next option for the project.

However, that plan also failed to materialize.

Malagò ultimately preferred Roberto Mancini, who was chosen to return to the Italy national team.

What Guardiola Could Have Changed for Italy

The idea of Guardiola coaching Italy remains one of football’s great hypothetical scenarios.

His possession-based approach, tactical flexibility and emphasis on positional play could have created a fascinating combination with Italy’s traditional defensive culture.

Guardiola would also have inherited a country with a deep footballing tradition and a strong youth system.

His willingness to study players from U-17 level upward suggests he would have approached the job as a long-term project.

The potential benefits could have included:

• A clear tactical identity across national teams.
• Greater integration between youth and senior squads.
• More emphasis on possession and positional football.
• Development of younger Italian players.
• A fresh approach to international competition.

Of course, none of that can be known for certain because the appointment never happened.

A Fascinating Chapter in Italy’s Coaching History

Maldini’s revelation offers a fascinating look at what might have been.

Guardiola was apparently close enough to accepting the Italy job that he was already drawing formations and studying the country’s young players. The decision ultimately came down not to money, but to exhaustion and his desire for a break after an intense decade in the Premier League.

Maldini and Leonardo eventually moved on to Pirlo, only for that plan to collapse when Roberto Mancini became the preferred choice.

The story highlights just how close Italy may have come to entering a completely different tactical era.

Guardiola never became Italy’s coach, but Maldini’s account suggests the idea was anything but a fantasy. For a brief period, one of football’s most celebrated managers was seriously considering leading the Azzurri—and he had apparently already begun planning how they would play.