Soccer: Guardiola has turned down offer to become Italy coach

Pep Guardiola has turned down the Italian Soccer Federation's (FIGC) offer for him to become Italy's new coach, ANSA sources said on Friday. Guardiola told FIGC Technical Director Paolo Maldini that he was tempted by the offer, but wanted to take some time out from football to focus on his family after 10 glorious years in charge of Manchester City, the sources said. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò confirmed reports that the federation had approached Guardiola about taking on the role earlier this week. Maldini added on Thursday that the federation had also looked up Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti and stressed that he was not in a rush to appoint a new coach for the national team. "Ideally, it would be this week, but, above all, we need to wait for the person we really want," Maldini said afte