The Azzurri have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cups, a stunning run for one of the most successful nations in the sport. With pressure mounting to restore Italy’s place among the world’s elite, the federation is planning a major reset ahead of Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Leading that rebuilding effort is Paolo Maldini, who was recently appointed as director within the Italian federation. One of his biggest responsibilities will be identifying the right manager to lead the national team back to international prominence, and the list of candidates includes two of the biggest names in world soccer.

Italy approach Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti

According to Paolo Maldini, Italy have already initiated conversations with both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti as part of the search for their next head coach.

“We have approached Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola. We wanted to start talking with the best world class managers to understand if they could be available for Italy job.”

Guardiola recently stepped away from Manchester City, while Ancelotti has also emerged as a realistic option because of his extensive international experience and legendary résumé. However, Carlo is currently with Brazil.

Italy aiming for a fresh start

The Italian federation hopes hiring a world-class manager can finally reverse years of disappointment on the international stage. After missing three consecutive World Cups, qualifying for the 2030 tournament has become the federation’s top long-term objective, while building a competitive squad for Euro 2028 is expected to be the first major milestone.

Whether Guardiola, Ancelotti, or another elite coach ultimately accepts the position, Italy appear determined to make one of the biggest managerial appointments following the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to digital sports platform Cronache di Spogliatoio, Malago confirmed that discussions have taken place, hinting that the federation is prepared to make a financial exception to land the marquee boss. “[Financial] exceptions have been made, exceptions that, for example, could involve the name dominating the headlines right now: Pep Guardiola,” Malago revealed.

However, Malago was quick to add a note of caution: “Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is by no means certain this will go through.” His measured response leaves lingering questions over who will ultimately take charge of Italy desperate to turn the page after missing three consecutive World Cups.

Guardiola—who was previously linked to Inter Miami following Javier Mascherano’s exit—remains a top-tier candidate for Italy as the federation seeks a transformative leader capable of securing a spot at the expanded 2030 World Cup.

Has Guardiola ever coached an international team?

Despite a coaching career spanning nearly two decades since taking over Barcelona, Guardiola has never managed at the international level. His only experience in international soccer came during his playing career as a central midfielder for Spain.

Whether or not he ultimately takes the reins of a national team, an international role would offer Guardiola the ultimate platform to prove his sustained success isn’t just about club resources, but rather a masterclass in tactical philosophy and relentless work ethic.

Guardiola’s managerial track record

While international soccer would represent uncharted territory, Guardiola’s club resume is virtually unmatched. Here is a breakdown of his career managerial numbers across his three club tenures:

• Matches managed: 1,001
• Wins: 726
• Draws: 140
• Losses: 135
• Win percentage: 72.5%
• Points Per Match (PPM): 2.32
• Total major trophies: 40 (41 including Tercera Division with Barcelona B)

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Hoyos has fully earned the trust of the Inter Miami hierarchy to steer the ship long-term. “Guillermo Hoyos will stay as Inter Miami head coach after the World Cup and during the rest of the season,” Romano reported. “Decision made as Hoyos has the best winning record to start a tenure in Inter Miami history with 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat.”

Guardiola was reportedly furious when leaks about a potential Manchester City departure surfaced a few weeks ago, and while the tactician has kept his next move close to his vest, heavy rumors had linked him to an MLS arrival for one final dance with Messi. However, the news of Hoyos’ contract extension effectively slams the door on those Hollywood dreams.

In the meantime, the Inter Miami front office are keeping a nervous eye on Messi’s fitness, as the legendary playmaker headlines a massive, pre-World Cup injury wave threatening Argentina’s tournament debut. With their talisman sidelined, the Herons’ hierarchy is actively scouting external roster alternatives to ensure the squad can sustain its championship-caliber momentum and hunt for more silverware down the stretch.

Were there options to replace Hoyos on the bench?

Despite Hoyos ultimately winning the job, the Inter Miami front office kept an extensive wishlist of high-profile candidates on standby. The club’s ownership group is desperate to replicate the historic success of last season’s double-trophy campaign and was fully prepared to break the bank for an elite replacement.

Alongside Guardiola, heavyweights like Marcelo Gallardo, Xavi Hernandez, Wilfried Nancy, and even current Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni were reportedly discussed as potential targets. The high-stakes coaching search originally began after former manager Javier Mascherano abruptly vacated the post, opening the door for Hoyos to step in and secure his future in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi’s tenure under Guardiola’s management

Messi’s four seasons under Pep Guardiola (2008–2012) represent one of the most destructive player-coach partnerships in the history of soccer. It was Guardiola who famously unlocked Messi by moving him from the right wing into the center as a “False 9,” a tactical masterstroke that transformed Messi from a world-class talent into an unstoppable, apex-level goal scorer.

Messi’s stats under Guardiola’s management:

• Matches Played: 219
• Goals Scored: 211
• Assists Registered: 97
• Total Goal Contributions: 308 in 219 games
• Goals Per Game Ratio: 0.96

Titles under Guardiola’s management:

• Team silverware (14 Trophies): 3x La Liga titles, 2x UEFA Champions Leagues, 2x Copas del Rey, 2x FIFA Club World Cups, 2x UEFA Super Cups, and 3x Supercopas de Espana.
• The Ballon d’Or Monopoly: Messi won four consecutive Ballons d’Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) while playing under Pep, completely sweeping the global award for the entirety of their partnership.

According to The Sun, Guardiola “is furious at the timing just before a game. He summoned the players to join a late-night group call and confirmed he was leaving.” With the sudden announcement rocketing through the clubhouse, major uncertainty now looms over how the squad will respond on the pitch during the final week of the season.

The report further detailed that Guardiola gathered the players together, prior to title definition with Arsenal, to confirm his departure at the end of the current campaign. “He apologized for the way the news emerged. It took him by surprise. The players were told as recently as Saturday he wasn’t going so everyone is in a state of shock,“ The Sun reported.

Following Arsenal’s crucial victory over Burnley, the Premier League standings have shifted, leaving City acutely aware that their title destiny relies entirely on winning their remaining fixtures. Now, the ultimate question is whether they can execute down the stretch, or if this massive locker room distraction will completely fracture the roster’s morale. Arsenal depend on themselves as City need to win both games and hope the Gunners drop points in order to finish first.

Who could succeed Guardiola at the Etihad?

The Guardian reported that Manchester City are already heavily considering Enzo Maresca to fill the monumental void Guardiola will leave behind. Despite the Spaniard initially having one year left on his contract, his decision to step down early means the former Chelsea boss is reportedly locked in to take the reins for the Citizens.

Maresca was the main architect behind Chelsea’s 2025 Club World Cup triumph in the United States and catalyzed the Blues’ Conference League title run. That historic continental victory uniquely established Chelsea as the only club in the world to capture three major UEFA club competitions.

Guardiola leaves behind an unmatched legacy

Wherever Guardiola has coached, he has completely redefined the game. During his legendary stint with Barcelona, he became the first manager to achieve a historic six-trophy sextuple in a single season, and he will depart City as the most decorated and successful manager in the history of the club.

His tenure was highlighted by capturing City’s first-ever Champions League trophy, securing four consecutive Premier League titles, and engineering the tournament’s first-ever 100-point campaign. In total, he has hoisted 17 trophies during his time in Manchester, surpassing the entire silverware tally the club had accumulated prior to his historic arrival.

The information provided by Holt also indicates that another name emerging as a potential successor is Vincent Kompany, a former City player. However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the only candidate strongly in contention is Maresca.

Guardiola arrived in the Premier League in 2016, spending a decade of success at the helm of the Manchester City. The manager has gone on to win 20 trophies, prior to the end of this season, establishing the club at the summit of one of the most important leagues in the world.

The achievements of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

In just ten years at the helm of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola achieved a historic milestone by capturing 20 major trophies to cement one of soccer’s greatest eras. Domestically, he absolute dominated English football, claiming 6 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, and 3 Community Shields.

On the continental and global stage, Guardiola finally conquered Europe with City by securing 1 UEFA Champions League title, alongside 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup, completing a spectacular, decade-long legacy of sustained excellence.

Can Manchester City take the title away from Arsenal?

Arsenal did their job at home, defeating Burnley 1–0 and moving one step closer to being crowned Premier League champions. The Gunners opened up a five-point lead over Manchester City, and if Pep Guardiola’s side fails to beat Bournemouth tomorrow, Mikel Arteta’s team will be crowned champions.

However, the title race could go down to the final matchday if the Citizens win on matchday 37. In that case, the points gap would be reduced to two again, and it would be in the final round where the new champion is decided.

Before the start of Matchday 36, Arsenal stand as the sole leaders of the competition with 76 points. The Citizens, meanwhile, fell five points behind after a 3–3 draw against Everton last Monday.

In what is expected to be a packed Etihad Stadium filled with home fans, Pep Guardiola and his team must beat Brentford and hope that Arsenal fail to pick up points in their visit to West Ham United tomorrow.

What happens if Manchester City beat Brentford today?

If Manchester City beat Brentford today, they will reach 74 points and hope for an Arsenal defeat to cut the gap to just two points. It is worth noting that City still have a postponed Matchday 31 home game against Crystal Palace pending.

What happens if Man City and Brentford tie today?

If the match between Manchester City and Brentford ends in a draw, the Citizens will drop two crucial points, and if Arsenal avoid defeat in their visit to West Ham United, they would extend their lead even further over their closest challenger.

What happens if Manchester City lose to Brentford today?

A home defeat against Brentford could prove to be the worst-case scenario for Manchester City. Tomorrow, Arsenal will visit West Ham United, and if they pick up points, they would widen the gap even further and move closer to the 2025-26 Premier League title.

Upcoming matches for Manchester City

• vs Brentford, May 9th (Matchday 36)
• vs Crystal Palace, May 13th (Matchday 31)
• at Bournemouth, May 19th (Matchday 37)
• vs Aston Villa, May 24th (Matchday 38)

2025–26 Premier League table ahead of Matchday 36

Arteta has now become only the fourth Spanish manager to lead a non-Spanish club to a Champions League final. He joins a legendary trio that includes Rafa Benitez (Liverpool), Guardiola (Manchester City), and Luis Enrique (PSG).

This victory marks a monumental moment for Arsenal, granting them passage to just the second Champions League final in club history. The Gunners will face either Bayern Munich or PSG at Budapest’s Puskas Aréna on May 30.

Chasing European glory

Arsenal head to Budapest with a historic opportunity. If they lift the trophy, they will be crowned unbeaten Champions League winners, becoming only the 12th club in history to win the competition without suffering a single defeat.

Arteta’s squad has been nearly flawless throughout the campaign, boasting a record of 11 wins and 3 draws. Its defensive discipline has been the backbone of this run, conceding only six goals in the tournament while racking up nine clean sheets.

A season for the record books

By reaching the final, Arsenal have equaled their all-time record for wins in a single season with 41 victories, matching the historic mark set during the 1970/71 campaign, according to statistics from Squawka.

The Gunners are currently in a unique position to complete a historic double: winning their first-ever Champions League title while securing their 14th Premier League crown. Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City (who have a game in hand) with only nine points left to play for in the domestic season.

During the FA Cup press conference, Guardiola was asked about the topic and was very critical of the prices. “A long, long time ago the World Cup was a celebration of the joy of soccer. Everyone would travel to watch their country. But now we are in modern times, it has become so expensive,” Guardiola said.

Guardiola closed his reflection with a strong statement about the spirit that, according to him, should not be lost in soccer. “Soccer is for the fans.” The message once again puts on the table a discussion that is becoming more frequent: the commercial growth of soccer and the difficulty many supporters have in accessing major international events.

Prices reported by FIFA

FIFA set prices such as $400 for a general ticket in Austria vs Algeria at Arrowhead in Kansas City, $1600 for Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife in New Jersey, and more than $2700 for the United States debut. VIP passes range from $15000 to $25000. Finals in resale surpass 2 million.

Very high prices that, in some cases, do not provide enough motivation to attend, especially when having to pay inflated costs, and even more so in resale markets handled by third parties, which are understood to be much more expensive than official platforms.

The balance between profitability and popular access

Despite his firm criticism of the current pricing system, Guardiola acknowledged the financial reality surrounding events of this magnitude. The coach admitted that corporate involvement is necessary for the logistical viability of tournaments, but insisted that economic interests should not outweigh the people.

“Obviously, you have to think about sponsors and all those things because otherwise it would not be sustainable. But the fans are the key reason why this business can continue to function,” the coach concluded.

In the end, Pep Guardiola‘s team gained the upper hand, reducing the gap with Mikel Arteta‘s side in the Premier League standings.

Thanks to their 2-1 win, Manchester City (67) are now just three points shy of leaders Arsenal (70) with a game in hand, which means the Citizens can tie the Gunners on points if they win their pending league fixture.

Here’s how things stand in the 2025-26 Premier League after today’s game:

Arsenal’s schedule: What’s next for them in the Premier League?

While Arsenal are also alive in the UEFA Champions League (they will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals), the Gunners have five games left in the 2025-26 Premier League season:

• Newcastle (home) – April 25
• Fulham (home) – May 2
• West Ham (away) – May 10
• Burnley (home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (away) – May 24

Manchester City’s remaining Premier League fixtures

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City are no longer in UEFA Champions League contention but they do have the chance to lift the FA Cup, facing Southampton (who knocked Arsenal out) in the semifinals.

In Premier League action, Pep Guardiola’s men have six fixtures left this term, one more than Arsenal:

• Burnley (away) – April 22
• Everton (away) – May 4
• Brentford (home) – May 9
• Bournemouth (away) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (home) – TBD
• Aston Villa (home) – May 24

Pep Guardiola’s men head into this massive clash in high spirits, having avoided defeat in their last nine Premier League games. Manchester City haven’t lost in league play since their derby defeat to Manchester United in January.

Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, arrives on Matchday 33 with pressure on its shoulders and a point to prove. Last time out, Arsenal were shocked by Bournemouth at home, which boosted the Citizens‘ confidence. Additionally, Man City beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final in March. Will the Gunners redeem themselves today?

What happens if Arsenal beat Manchester City today?

If Arsenal beat Manchester City today, they will reach 73 points and provisionally extend their lead over the Sky Blues to nine points. Guardiola’s team would remain second in the Premier League table with 64 points, but with a game in hand.

What happens if Arsenal and Manchester City tie today?

A tie between Arsenal and Manchester City would leave the Premier League title race wide open, as the Gunners would remain six points clear of the Citizens but with one more game played.

What happens if Arsenal lose to Manchester City today?

If Arsenal lose to Manchester City today, Guardiola‘s men would reduce the gap with the London club to only three points and with a game in hand. This would leave the Sky Blues in a strong position, as they would tie the Gunners in points if they win their pending league fixture.

A defeat would be the worst possible scenario for Arteta‘s side today, as it could see its title hopes seriously in danger after leading the standings for much of the 2025-26 campaign.

Guardiola commented on the alleged racist insults directed at Vinicius Jr during the match against Benfica, emphasizing that racism extends far beyond soccer. Speaking at a Friday press conference, the Manchester City coach stated that racism exists throughout society and must be addressed at its roots. He was later asked whether the sport has sufficient tools to combat discriminatory behavior.

“Your skin color or where you were born does not make you better than anyone,” Guardiola said. “There is still a lot of work to do. Racism is in society, not only in soccer.” His remarks reflected a broader concern about systemic issues that extend beyond stadiums and competitions.

Guardiola also stressed the importance of education in preventing discrimination. He argued that teachers and doctors should receive greater investment and recognition, suggesting that long-term solutions begin in schools rather than solely through disciplinary action in sports. The Spanish manager reiterated that societal change requires structural commitment.

How the case is being resolved

There remains the possibility that the incident did not involve racist language. Prestianni reportedly provided his account to UEFA, stating that he used an anti gay slur in Spanish rather than a racial insult. UEFA continued its formal investigation, reviewing testimony and match evidence before reaching any conclusions.

This distinction created two separate concerns. While the reported language may not constitute racial abuse, it could still qualify as discriminatory conduct under UEFA regulations and lead to disciplinary action. As of now, the governing body has not announced a final decision or outlined potential sanctions.

In the meantime, no official ruling has been issued regarding Prestianni’s status. Benfica decided that Prestianni would travel for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid.