La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that current Napoli coach Antonio Conte is open to taking on the role of Italy’s national team coach and overseeing the rebuilding of the Azzurri squad following the dismissal of Gennaro Gattuso.
The AC Milan legend left his post after failing to qualify Italy for the 2026 World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the European playoff final.
Conte, who previously coached Italy from 2014 to 2016, has been linked with the position, along with Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini and current AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reportedly favors Conte over other available options, particularly given his impressive first stint leading Italy to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals in France.
For his part, Conte is very enthusiastic about this move, even though his contract with Napoli runs until the summer of 2027. However, an early separation between the two parties could occur, especially after the southern club’s sharp decline this season.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not opposed to Conte’s departure in the summer, particularly since the relationship between the two has deteriorated due to the coach’s public criticism of the management for failing to secure the signings he requested to maintain their challenge for the Serie A title this season.
An interim coach is expected to be appointed to lead the national team in the June matches, with a permanent appointment anticipated by the end of the month or the beginning of July, following the election of a new president for the Italian Football Federation.
