Maldini: Pep came 'close' to Italy job, had lineups

Paolo Maldini, the Italian football legend and former AC Milan defender, has made a stunning revelation about Pep Guardiola's interest in managing the Italian national team. According to Maldini, the highly successful Manchester City manager was on the brink of taking the reins of the Azzurri, with the former defender revealing that Guardiola had even gone as far as to prepare potential lineups during discussions over the job.

Maldini's comments, made in a recent interview, suggest that Guardiola's interest in managing Italy was genuine and that he had given serious consideration to taking on the role. The fact that he was already thinking about team formations and lineups during talks indicates that he had a clear vision for the team and was eager to get started. It is unclear what ultimately prevented Guardiola from taking the job, but Maldini's comments provide a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the Italian football federation's decision-making process.

Guardiola's interest in managing Italy would have been a significant departure from his current role at Manchester City, where he has enjoyed unprecedented success in the Premier League. However, the prospect of him taking on the challenge of managing the Italian national team would have been a thrilling one for football fans around the world. Maldini's comments are a reminder of the high esteem in which Guardiola is held in the football world and the respect with which he is regarded by his peers.

It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will ever take on the challenge of managing a national team, but Maldini's comments provide a fascinating glimpse into a what could have been a significant development in the world of football. As it stands, Guardiola will continue to focus on his work at Manchester City, where he remains one of the most successful and influential managers in the game.