With Gennaro Gattuso set to leave his role as Italy head coach following the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is moving quickly to find a replacement. Four high-profile names are understood to be in the running: Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi and Massimiliano Allegri.
The main complication with each candidate is that all four are currently under contract elsewhere.
Conte, who previously managed Italy at Euro 2016, would be open to a return, but Napoli owner De Laurentiis is unlikely to release him easily, with his deal running until 2027. Inzaghi is under contract with Saudi club Al Hilal until next year and earns in excess of £25 million per season. Allegri, now at Milan on a deal also until 2027, is considered an attractive option given his track record and tactical discipline. Mancini, currently at Al Sadd, has made no secret of his desire to return to the national side and make amends for Italy’s shock defeat to North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs.
Whoever takes charge will face an immediate test. Italy are due to begin their Nations League campaign in September, with fixtures against Belgium, Turkey and France in quick succession.
In the meantime, Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini could be asked to oversee two friendly matches scheduled for June.
