The FIGC flew to Barcelona to make their pitch in person — now the betting markets are reacting
Pep Guardiola has barely had time to enjoy retirement before the phone started ringing. The Italian Football Federation sent Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to Barcelona for face-to-face talks aimed at convincing the former Manchester City boss to take over the Azzurri. Guardiola, though, keeps saying the same thing: he’s not ready to come back yet. That hasn’t stopped bookmakers from building out a full market on where he lands next.
Why Italy Came Calling
Italy are in crisis mode after missing out on a third consecutive World Cup, a run of failure that cost Gennaro Gattuso his job in April. Maldini, now the FIGC’s technical director, and his advisor Leonardo made the trip to Spain specifically to present Guardiola with their vision for rebuilding the national team, with talks reportedly stretching across several days.
It’s a bold approach given Guardiola’s stated need for time away from the game, but it underlines how highly Italy rate him. Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo have also been floated as candidates, and more recent reports indicate Antonio Conte may have already agreed to take the job — muddying the picture on just how live the Guardiola option still is.
What Guardiola Has Actually Said About Coming Back
Guardiola has been consistent in interviews since leaving City: this is meant to be a genuine break, not a gap year before another dugout. He’s spoken about wanting to spend time with his children and his elderly father, and about needing to “discover life” outside football after starting his coaching career at just 37.
At the same time, he’s left the door open — just not for another club job. Guardiola has previously said he wouldn’t take on a new team with the day-to-day grind of a full club season, but international management is a different proposition entirely. Working in cycles between tournaments, rather than week to week, would let him keep both the family time he wants and the competitive itch he’s admitted he’ll eventually feel.
The England Connection Won’t Go Away
This isn’t the first time Guardiola’s name has been tied to a national job. Back in 2024, reports suggested he’d reached a verbal agreement with the FA to replace Gareth Southgate, only to change his mind and stay at City — clearing the path for Thomas Tuchel to take charge and lead England to their best World Cup finish outside home soil.
Tuchel remains contracted through Euro 2028 and has said he intends to fulfil that deal. But after England’s gutting World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina, Guardiola’s name has resurfaced in the conversation once again, with pundits pointing out that if any managerial change is going to happen at Wembley, he’s the one man English football would drop everything for.
- Also read: England’s Next Manager Betting Odds: Pep Guardiola Tops the Market After World Cup Heartbreak
Pep Guardiola Next Job Betting Odds
With three different national teams and two major clubs in the mix, bookmakers have priced up a genuinely competitive market, with England edging it as favourite ahead of Italy.
| Next Job Option | JB.Casino | N1Bet | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| England National Team | 9/4 | 5/2 | 2/1 |
| Italy National Team | 11/4 | 5/2 | 3/1 |
| Brazil National Team | 9/2 | 7/2 | 3/1 |
| Barcelona | 2/1 | 5/2 | 11/4 |
| Bayern Munich | 5/1 | 11/2 | 6/1 |
Breaking Down the Contenders
England — The Unfinished Business
England sit as the shortest price across all three books, and it’s easy to see why. The 2024 near-miss lingers, Tuchel’s long-term future is a live topic after the Argentina defeat, and Guardiola’s ties to English football — built over a decade at City — run deeper than with any other national side on this list.
Italy — The Team Actively Chasing Him
Italy are the only country on this list who’ve made a concrete, in-person approach, which explains why they’re priced closely behind England. The scale of the rebuild after missing three straight World Cups would be a serious project — arguably a bigger challenge than England’s, given the talent already in place at Wembley.
Brazil — The Romantic Long Shot
Brazil carry obvious prestige, and a Guardiola reign in Brazilian football would be one of the greatest storylines the international game could produce. The odds reflect that this is more aspirational than realistic at this stage.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich — The Comfortable Returns
Both clubs represent a return to familiar ground rather than a genuine break, which is likely why Guardiola himself has all but ruled out an immediate club return. The odds on both are respectable, but they cut against everything he’s said publicly about needing distance from the week-to-week club grind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pep Guardiola definitely taking a new job soon?
No. He has repeatedly said he’s on a genuine sabbatical and wants time with his family, though he hasn’t ruled out international management specifically.
Why does Italy’s approach matter if Guardiola isn’t ready to return?
It shows the FIGC see him as their top target regardless of the obstacles, and it puts pressure on the timeline — especially with reports that Antonio Conte may already be closing in on the job instead.
Could Guardiola still end up at England?
It’s not off the table. His history with the FA from 2024 and the ongoing scrutiny on Tuchel keep the possibility alive, even with no formal contact reported this time around.
For the latest movement across this market as it develops, Tips.gg has ongoing coverage and odds comparisons on where Guardiola’s next move might land.
The Bigger Picture
Guardiola’s situation is shaping up to be one of the more fascinating subplots of the international calendar, regardless of what he ultimately decides. Italy need a fix now, England’s succession question won’t disappear quietly, and Guardiola himself has made clear that whenever he does return, it likely won’t look like his last three jobs. Whether that comeback happens in six months or three years, the market will keep moving every time his name resurfaces.