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Gianluca Minchiotti

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Maldini reveals: “Here is why Guardiola turned down Italy. The phone call to Ancelotti...”

Italy
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P. Maldini
P. Guardiola

The former captain reveals some behind-the-scenes details about the two weeks at the FIGC

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Paolo Maldini explains why Pep Guardiola turned down the Italy job and recalls the phone call to Carlo Ancelotti.


Why did Guardiola turn it down?

"Because of tiredness. Guardiola is coming off ten gruelling years in the Premier League. He had back surgery. He wants to rest. But it was a very serious discussion, we studied the squads, from the Under-17s upwards... So we turned to Andrea. Malagò knew everything, we kept him informed step by step."

  • On Ancelotti: "We made a phone call to the greatest Italian manager of all time, my dear friend Carlo Ancelotti. He told us that Brazil had reiterated their complete confidence in him, and said goodbye by wishing us good luck. It was a necessary phone call."


    READ PAOLO MALDINI'S FULL INTERVIEW

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