Pep Guardiola makes final decision on Italy job as Man City icon speaks out

Manchester City icon Pep Guardiola is said to have spoken out about his decision on whether to become head coach of the Italy national team after meeting their football federation

Pep Guardiola has reportedly turned down the chance to become Italy's head coach.

The former Manchester City manager is said to have told the Italian Football Federation: "Thank you, I'm honoured, but at this moment, I don't feel it." Guardiola left City barely two months ago after a decade in charge.

Sabbaticals have been a feature of his coaching career: he took a season off after leaving Barcelona before taking over at Bayern Munich. The Catalan has also previously agreed to moves in advance of his contract expiring and announced them, doing so when departing the Bundesliga club for City.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Guardiola informed them about his decision to decline their offer on Thursday night. He is said to have given the decision considerable thought over days of reflection before "reason prevailed over emotion".

A desire to spend time with his family is described as the reasoning for refusing the opportunity. The idea of being an international head coach also appears to have left Guardiola unconvinced.

He reportedly said during negotiations: "If I do it, I do it 100%." Italy's technical director, Paolo Maldini, acknowledged that the job was an eight-to-ten-year project, which Guardiola seemed unwilling to commit to.

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However, his love and respect for the country remains. It is said to be somewhere that has given him so much.

Guardiola spent two seasons of his playing career in Italy, joining Brescia after leaving Barcelona. The midfielder went on to have a brief stint at Roma before returning to the club who were last year dissolved after being declared bankrupt.

On the subject of finances, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed their interest in Guardiola, saying: "(Financial) exceptions have been made, exceptions that, for example, may concern the name that is so overbearing in these hours: Pep Guardiola."

"Exceptions for obvious reasons that I am not here to explain, but it is not certain that this thing will go through."

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