According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pep Guardiola has demanded a €20m-a-year salary to become the new Italy coach, while the FIGC might be able to afford only half of it, making the Spaniard's appointment unlikely.
Italy keep waiting for a final response from Pep Guardiola after technical director Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo travelled to Barcelona to hold direct talks with the Spaniard last weekend.
All Italian media agree that convincing Guardiola is almost impossible, primarily because the Spanish tactician has already confirmed that he wants to take a break after spending the last ten years at Manchester City.
Naturally, the financial aspect has to be taken into account as well. According to Gazzetta, the Italian FA could "make an exception," to use Malagò's words, to afford Pep's wages, but would not be able to offer more than €10m a year.
Guardiola's request, on the other hand, is twice as much, Gazzetta claims, around €20m.
A Lega Serie A Assembly will occur in Milan today, with Malagò, Maldini, and Leonardo presenting their project to the Serie A clubs. No announcement regarding Italy's new coach is expected to be made today.
If Guardiola rejects the Azzurri's proposal, Roberto Mancini and Andrea Pirlo remain in the frame as the main candidates, but Malagò, Maldini, and Leonardo could consider other candidates.
