The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has held talks with former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti in the search for a new national team coach after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup. fifa world cup For the third time in a row.The Football Association hopes to appoint a new coach within the week as it looks to rebuild after another disappointing qualifying campaign.Former Italian and AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini, who was appointed Serie A’s technical director earlier this month, attended a meeting with Serie A clubs on Thursday along with new Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago and special adviser Leonardo.Asked about Guardiola after the meeting, Maldini confirmed the Spaniard was one of the candidates but said the process was still ongoing.“Honestly, today we cannot reveal what is happening. You have identified one of our targets,” Maldini said.“We can’t hide that before talking to Pep we also spoke to Carlo Ancelotti. Honestly, it seems right to start with the best players in the world and see their general availability.”Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after 10 years at Manchester City, winning 35 major trophies during his spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.According to Maldini, he and Leonardo met with Guardiola in Barcelona for three days to discuss the job in Italy.“The best thing is to announce the new coach this week, but more importantly to wait for the one we really want,” Maldini said. “So there’s a sense of urgency, but it’s not that urgent within us.”Meanwhile, Ancelotti signed a contract extension with Brazil in May that runs until the 2030 World Cup. However, Brazil endured one of their worst campaigns at this year’s World Cup, bowing out in the round of 16 with a 2-1 loss to Norway.The 67-year-old has won league titles in Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany and remains the only coach to win the UEFA title Champions League five times.Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs in March, leading to the resignations of Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and head coach Gattuso.
