Italy-Guardiola: there is the problem of salary. Sponsors would help

Sometimes the distance between dream and reality can be covered with a check with many zeros. For Italy, especially in this historical period, Pep Guardiola would be the exotic journey on which to place his life savings, hoping that the experience and investment will produce happiness. This is why the potential candidates for the Football Federation are contemplating the relaunch in grand style, despite having to deal with a budget that is not comparable to the levels of Manchester City (24.8 million euros gross, which in British taxation for the rich rates becomes around 14 plus bonuses) nor even that of the coaches of the big national teams: our Carlo Ancelotti has just renewed his contract with Brazil until 2030 for a figure close to 10 million, to which a bonus of 5 million would be added of winning the world title.

how to do it

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Yet the Guardiola idea, although difficult to realise, has a basis which is reflected in the words spoken a few days ago by Leonardo Bonucci, to all intents and purposes a federal coach in charge: “I would start again with Guardiola, he is the right man for Italy. I know it is not easy but dreaming costs nothing”. Hiring a coach of this caliber, however, costs a lot. But following the pattern that brought Antonio Conte to Via Allegri in the summer of 2014, the one following the failure of our last World Cup, the numbers could even add up. Let’s explain: at the time a generous technical sponsor linked to Conte covered around half of the 4.1 million salary. Curiously, the brand is the same one that sponsors Guardiola: indeed, the Catalan coach is also a sort of ambassador of Puma, because he helps develop the products and promotes them around the world.

connections

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Evidently today it is not credible to evaluate an engagement that can remain within federal parameters and at the same time satisfy the illustrious interlocutor. We are still thinking separated from action. But if there is the will to reach an agreement, if there is a serious program that could involve Guardiola in the coordination of the youth national teams and in the creation of a model, the numbers could also add up. Always, we repeat, with the support of sponsors, who could benefit from the valorisation of a noble decline of international football through a character who has entered history for his innovative visions of the game.

the others

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In recent years, therefore after the farewell of Conte who also remains among the candidates to succeed Gattuso, the highest paid Italian coach was Roberto Mancini, who by renewing his contract after the European Championship won increased his salary to 3 million net. They wouldn’t be enough in themselves to convince Guardiola, who certainly doesn’t need to water his assets but has such a standing that he can’t lower his requests below a certain number. But what happens abroad? The figures are on average higher than our habits: Tuchel (England), Nagelsmann (Germany) and Deschamps are handsomely remunerated. Curiously, the world champion coach, Scaloni, and the European champion coach, De La Fuente, are within the normal range: 2 million for the former, 1.2 for the latter.