Massimiliano Allegri cannot be fully counted out of the race to become Italy’s new head coach just yet, a report claims.
There are exactly two months to go until June 22nd, the day of the FIGC federal elections to elect the new leader of Italian football. The two leading candidates remain Giancarlo Abete and Giovanni Malagò, both aiming to inherit the role from Gabriele Gravina who resigned.
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While we wait for that date, the next Italian national team coach remains to be determined. Gennaro Gattuso has been replaced by Silvio Baldini – the coach of the Italian Under-21 team – in an interim bases. He will lead Italy in the two friendlies against Greece and Luxembourg scheduled for June.
It will be a highly experimental Italy, with many young players joining the squad. Then, Calciomercato.com claims there are three main candidates to get the gig full-time: Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Mancini.
Max still in the running
Conte declared himself keen on becoming Italy boss again, having done so before. Even on the Napoli side, his possible departure isn’t seen as a potential disaster, especially since it would allow Aurelio De Laurentiis to save on his hefty salary and go for someone else. That’s why he is in pole.
However, Allegri never explicitly rejected his own candidacy, but he emphasised that the foundation of things rests primarily with the choice of the federal leadership. Furthermore, the Livorno-born coach- although intrigued by the opportunity to lead Italy – intends to continue with his second spell at Milan.
The parties are holding numerous discussions to begin planning for next season, especially with the possibility of a return to the Champions League ever closer. Currently, his stock is therefore low, but he cannot be counted out yet, especially given Malago’s esteem.
Roberto Mancini would like to go back to the national team, after his experience as coach of Saudi Arabia and then with Al Sadd in Qatar. He is waiting for a call, awaiting the decisive federal elections that will project Italy into a hopefully brighter future.
Keep an eye on other names, such as Simone Inzaghi (now at Al-Hilal, but eager to return to Italy in an important job) and Stefano Pioli (currently a free agent). Finally, there is no harm in dreaming, with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti top of the list.
