Pep Guardiola has ruled out an immediate return to management, insisting he needs a break from football amid links with the Italy national team.
Pep Guardiola has dismissed speculation linking him with the Italy national team, making it clear that he has no intention of returning to coaching anytime soon after ending his spell at Manchester City.
The Spanish manager has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Azzurri role, but Guardiola insisted he is enjoying life away from football after spending almost two decades on the touchline.
Speaking about his decision to step away from management, Guardiola explained that he no longer feels the constant need to be involved in football and wants to embrace a different phase of his life.
“I don’t feel like I’m missing anything mentally,” Guardiola said. “I started coaching when I was 37 and everything in my life has been connected to football. Now I want to discover life and be happy doing things that aren’t related to football.”
🚨 Pep Guardiola has emerged as a candidate to become the next Italy manager.
Italy’s decision-makers view Guardiola as the coach capable of leading a complete reset for the national team.
His salary remains a major obstacle, but there is growing belief that the challenge of… pic.twitter.com/KSOUujOVuQ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 13, 2026
The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City boss admitted he still loves coaching but believes the time is right to step away, adding that any future return would only happen if he genuinely missed the profession.
“Maybe one day I’ll wake up and say, ‘OK, I want to coach again.’ I need to feel that I miss it, and right now I don’t,” Guardiola explained, suggesting there is no timeline for a comeback to football.
Family has become Guardiola’s biggest priority during his time away from the game. He revealed that he wants to spend more quality time with his children and his 95-year-old father while adjusting to life outside the relentless demands of elite football.
“At 56, I’m not young anymore,” Guardiola said. “I decided to stop because I want to take better care of myself. I’m trying to understand what my life will be like, and so far this new chapter is going quite well.”
Guardiola’s comments effectively end suggestions that he could take charge of Italy in the near future, with the legendary coach making it clear that his focus remains on enjoying his break rather than planning his next managerial challenge.
