Maldini says he approached Ancelotti to lead the Italian team

SÃO PAULO, SP (UOL/FOLHAPRESS) - New director of national teams at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), former player Paolo Maldini said he sought out Carlo Ancelotti to take over Italy.

WHAT HAPPENED

The director revealed that he spoke with the current commander of the Brazilian team, who is Italian. The statement was made at a press conference held this Thursday (23).

Maldini also confirmed Italy's interest in Pep Guardiola. The coach left Manchester City in the middle of the year, he is free on the football market, but the high salary could be an obstacle in negotiations with the Italians.

"Guardiola? We can't give you news about what's happening, you identified one of the targets, but we also spoke with [Carlo] Ancelotti. It seemed right to start with the best in the world, but you have to check general availability," said Maldini.

The director admitted that he hoped to announce the new commander this week. According to him, "there is a rush" in hiring the coach, but the federation is willing to wait to have the coach that "we really want".

Italy has been looking for a new coach since its failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gennaro Gattuso left his post shortly after the defeat to Bosnia in the European play-offs, which confirmed the Italian team's absence from the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Carlo Ancelotti has a contract with the Brazilian team until the 2030 World Cup. The 66-year-old Italian signed a new contract even before competing in this year's World Cup, as part of the CBF's strategy to resolve his future regardless of the result of the campaign in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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