Capello: Conte should return to Italy, Mancini was 'done' three summers ago

Fabio Capello believes that now is the right time for Antonio Conte to return to the role of head coach of the Italy national team, and suggests that the damage was done for Roberto Mancini when he accepted a position in the Saudi Arabia set-up three years ago.

Capello: Who better to give Italy a bit of a shock than Conte? Giovanni Malago has recently been elected as the new President of the FIGC and appointing a new head coach of the men’s national team is an immediate priority for the new chief of the Italian FA.

As things stand, Mancini and Conte are the frontrunners , although there have also been some calls from supporters to give U21s head coach and recent interim Silvio Baldini a chance with the senior side on a full-time basis.

Mancini and Conte, however, remain the two frontrunners, and Capello has made it clear which one he would prefer to see return to the Italy hot seat.

“We’re talking about a battle between two great coaches, both winners,” Capello said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport .

But, If he had to make the decision between Conte and Mancini, there are no doubts in his mind as to who he would select: “Antonio.”

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 24: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach greets his supporters after the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 24, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) He explained: “Conte is a coach who brings immediate impact, on the players, on the results. He rarely makes mistakes when he’s called upon to start a new adventure.

“Our football needs something of a shock. I’d say a nice bit of shock therapy, and who better to do it than Conte?”

Capello believes that Mancini’s decision to leave the Italy set up in order to join the Saudi Arabia national team back in 2023 puts him at a disadvantage in the running for the vacant CT role this time around.

“A week before mid-August, he was having dinner with the FIGC President Gravina. And, a week later, he tells him that he’s taken the Saudi Arabia option. It was done three summers ago. The facts are too recent to be forgotten about or pushed to one side.”

Capello refused to label Mancini’s decision to join the Saudi set-up a ‘betrayal’, as La Gazzetta dello Sport has done: “It was an interesting choice, but a sudden choice that nobody would have expected,” he confessed.

Twitter: @SaudiNT Capello does feel encouraged that there is a promising crop of young players coming through, some of whom had opportunities during the round of June international friendlies played under interim head coach Silvio Baldini and his squad of Italy U21 players.

“Promising youngsters, but they need to be put into a different context: They need to create a good mix where the presence of the senior players is fundamental.”

One of the benefits of appointing Conte is that he, like Mancini, has been there before and knows how to get results.

“Leading a national team has very little to do with the day-to-day work you do,” said Capello. “Conte would know how to bring the best out of his boys every time they meet up.”

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 20: Fabio Capello attends the Sporting Mixed Zone ahead of Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at Palacio De Cibeles on April 20, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus) Conte also looks back fondly on Conte’s performance with the Italy national team at EURO 2016.

“I remember that match against Germany. We took them to penalties with an unprecedented midfield due to the various unavailabilities: Parolo, Sturaro and Giaccherini in the middle.

“I back Antonio because it’s his time. You can feel Conte’s desire to return to the national team and complete a job he began a few years ago. And it was him who said it, that he would be the coach again one day.”

And Mancini?

“Bravo, very good. He gave us the EURO 2021 dream, the victory at the home of the English in Wembley. I have nothing more to say about that, but I think Conte would be better.”

And how about the promotion of current U21 head coach Baldini?

“I like him, and not just a small amount. The work he has done with the Italy U21s is great, the messages he launched during his 10 days in charge of the senior team have made an impact as well.”