Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to coach Italy, according to reports in the country.
The former Manchester City manager had been in talks with the Italian Football Federation over the role.
But the 55-year-old informed Italy on Thursday night that he would not be taking the job due to “personal reasons that go beyond football”, Sky Italy reported.
Guardiola said before his City exit that he wasn’t planning on taking a new job “for a while”, citing a lack of “energy” - just as his rival Jurgen Klopp said when he departed Liverpool.
Klopp, 59, was on Friday unveiled as the new head coach of Germany, which is his first managerial position since leaving Liverpool two years ago. Klopp has said he feels “recharged”.
Italian football federation president Giovanni Malago confirmed talks with Guardiola were underway this week. He added that “exceptions” could be made in terms of salary.
Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy head coach in April after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, and former Azzurri midfielder Andrea Pirlo are other candidates for the vacancy.
Klopp, meanwhile, has signed a four-year contract with Germany that will see him take charge of the team at Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
“The national team brings us Germans together like almost nothing else can. That's what makes this task so special for me,” Klopp said at his unveiling in Frankfurt on Friday morning.
Includes reporting from PA
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