Italy coach salary could be covered by Serie A clubs: 'From hostility to resources'
Quick summary
A proposal suggests Serie A clubs could collectively cover the salary of the Italy national team coach, shifting the relationship from hostility to cooperation between clubs and the FIGC.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceA remarkable offer from Serie A clubs to help pay the salary of a top new Italy coach has impressed Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi. ‘We’ve gone from hostility to putting resources at our disposal.’
The Azzurri are currently without a coach after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down in the wake of the failed World Cup play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It would seem to be down to a choice of two former bosses who might return, Roberto Mancini or Antonio Conte, but the latter would require remarkable wages.
Clubs could help support Italy costs COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) With that in mind, it was revealed that the Lega Serie A offered to set up a fund to help pay for this salary if it meant Italy getting a great tactician.
“As far as I am concerned, anything that helps to strengthen the culture and competitiveness of the Azzurri is welcome, also learning from the errors of the past,” said Minister for Sport Abodi today.
“If we have gone from substantial neutrality, if not occasional hostility, to the proposal of putting resources at our disposal, then it means we are making some progress at last.”
Serie A clubs have in general struggled to support the Italy team, complaining when their players are taken away on international duty if not fully fit, and refusing to allow time for extra training get togethers during the season.
If they are coming together to offer money for a new coach, then that does suggest the Lega Serie A recognise the importance of the Nazionale to the entire football movement.
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
Italian football authorities are discussing a new model in which Serie A clubs would contribute to funding the salary of the Italy national team head coach. The idea, framed as moving 'from hostility to resources,' aims to realign the interests of domestic clubs with the national team setup. Currently, the FIGC bears the full cost of the coach's salary, which has historically created tension with clubs releasing players for international duty. The proposal would formalize club involvement in the national team's financial structure and governance.
Chance analysis
This is a governance and financial restructuring story rather than a tactical or personnel one. If implemented, it would smooth the historically fraught relationship between Serie A clubs and the FIGC, potentially easing the release of players for international duty and improving the national team's competitive standing. For prediction systems, the on-field impact is indirect — better-funded and better-supported national team operations could marginally improve Italy's preparation and results over the medium term.
Potential long-term improvement in Italy national team funding and club-federation relations, but no immediate competitive effect.
This is a structural/governance proposal with no immediate impact on upcoming matches or player availability.