Amid reports that Pep Guardiola has had talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), president Giovanni Malago confirmed the appointment of the nation's new head coach is only days away.

Italy have been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso stepped down following their failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup.

The Azzurri have not featured at the tournament since a group-stage exit in 2014, having fallen at the play-off stage of qualification each time.

Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to their Euro 2020 crown, Antonio Conte, and former player Andrea Pirlo are rumoured to be among the favourites, though Guardiola is thought to be the current frontrunner.

Reports coming out of Italy on Monday say the former Manchester City boss met with Paolo Maldini and Leonardo in Barcelona to try and persuade him to take the job.

Malago confirmed big names are in the conversation about who could take over, but refused to give any more details, with an official announcement imminent.

"How long until the coach? Just a few more days' patience," Malago told Sky Sport Italy.

"It took me two weeks to bring Maldini and Leonardo on board. There's no clash, but there has to be agreement. In the end, myself, Maldini and Leonardo will be 100% aligned.

Nations League

Turchia-Italia, in programma il 28 settembre, si giocherà all’Atatürk Spor Kompleksi di Bursa https://t.co/93qUdXOC3l#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/dMfZDYRA7V

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) July 1, 2026

"Beyond Mancini and Pirlo, there could be other names. "To those who say take a big shot, I say, even if he were interested, what are his demands? And are they compatible with our accounts?

"On the books, I have the sum left from Gattuso's salary, a thousand miles from any wishes of the big shot."

Malago hinted that Italy were not necessarily targeting a marquee name, with his main focus on improving the model of the Italian national team.

"In the [World Cup] final there were two coaches, [Lionel] Scaloni and [Luis] De la Fuente," Malago said.

"Scaloni, without an incredible pedigree, made an incredible journey. De la Fuente comes from the youth pathway. Whatever the person, we have to fix the organisation and methodology so that Italians play more and are valued."

Italy's next matches are in the Nations League, where they are in Group A1 alongside France, Belgium and Turkiye.