Prime Goals

Paolo Maldini has lifted the lid on just how close Pep Guardiola came to taking charge of the Italy national team. 🇮🇹🤯

"We came incredibly close to landing Pep Guardiola as Italy's next manager. Pep was prepared to accept the same wages as his predecessor, and had even begun mapping out potential squads and tactical setups," he disclosed in a sit-down with Corriere dello Sport.

"Then after a few days, Pep chose to walk away because he was burnt out and felt he owed it to his family to take a step back… we completely understood his decision," he added. 😔🙏

For context, the Italian World Cup legend had a brief stint as director of the FIGC. He stepped into the role in July with the sole mission of appointing a new Azzurri boss, only to walk out just a fortnight later following the collapse of talks with Guardiola and the backlash over the proposed appointment of Andrea Pirlo. 💼❌🔵

The greatest "What If?" in Premier League folklore. 🤯
Jose Mourinho has revealed he was handed the Manchester United job in 2013 to step into Sir Alex Ferguson's shoes, and actually put pen to paper, before ultimately having a change of heart and heading back to Chelsea. 💙
"I went to Chelsea in 2013 but in that window there's something the world never knew. I feel I can share it now because nobody gets hurt by the truth, and I believe the truth deserves to be told. When I departed Real Madrid, I had already signed with Manchester United to take charge after Sir Alex.

I was, naturally, deeply honoured, because Manchester United carries an extraordinary weight. When I say Real Madrid are the greatest club on the planet, I have to admit United are right on their heels. 🔴⚪️

But loving football is one thing, loving a particular club is something else entirely. That bond runs deeper than the game itself and, coming off the back of Real Madrid, what I needed most was to feel genuinely wanted." ❤️

Rather than taking the reins at Old Trafford, "The Special One" made his way back to Stamford Bridge, leaving United to turn to David Moyes instead. 🏟️ Just how different would the story of football look if Jose had walked through those doors in Manchester three years sooner? 👀🎭