Who will be Italy's next coach?
Quick summary
Speculative article examining potential candidates to become the next head coach of the Italy national football team.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAccording to reports in Italy, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are the frontrunners to become the new Italy coach after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Italy have not participated in the World Cup for 12 years, and their new coach will have qualification for the 2030 tournament as the main goal.
The Azzurri finished their 2026 World Cup qualification group in second behind Norway, so they were forced to play in the play-off qualifier, meeting Northern Ireland in the semis and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.
Two main candidates for Italy’s head coach Players take part in a training sesssion of Italy’s national football team ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 football Championship in Iserlohn, on June 12, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) They were naturally the favourites to qualify, but those who feared the Azzurri would feel the pressure after two missed qualifications eventually reaped the rewards on Melbet .
In the wake of Italy’s third consecutive fiasco, coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned, followed by FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, who was replaced a few months later by Giovanni Malagò, elected on June 22, 2026, with nearly 69% of the vote from the various components of Italian football.
The big priority for Malagò will be to appoint Italy’s new coach, and, as things stand, Mancini and Conte, a former Napoli coach, are the main candidates for the job.
Other coaches have been mentioned by Italian media, including Pep Guardiola, but it’s likely that the competition will eventually be reduced to a two-horse race between Mancini and Conte.
Both have already coached the Italy national team. Mancini won the Euros in 2021 but failed to qualify for the World Cup the following year, while Conte reached the quarter-finals at the 2016 Euros.
Malagò is aware that the decision on the new coach is one of the first he has to make, alongside appointing a technical director, identified as Paolo Maldini, with an offer already sent.
PISA, ITALY – MAY 17: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SSC Napoli at Arena Garibaldi on May 17, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) In his first press conference after his election as the FIGC President, Malagò said: “If it weren’t for a penalty, I wouldn’t be here now.
“It is incredible that Gravina was re-elected a year ago, practically by unanimous consent, and yet he was unable to push through any of the proposed reforms.
“Objectively, the situation is completely fossilised. I will continue to defend the autonomy of sport, but if we don’t manage to change our ways, then someone will have to put us into a position to change. It is very simple.”
AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Another big target of Malagò will be to identify the venues for Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Turkey.
“EURO 2032 is a challenge within a challenge. I spoke to (UEFA President Aleksandar) Ceferin over the last few days, and already received messages from (FIFA President Gianni) Infantino,” he added.
“Michele Uva is our organisational figure with UEFA, we’ve got to identify these five stadiums,”
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What happened
Following the departure of the previous Italy manager, football-italia.net explores the leading candidates being considered for the Azzurri job. The piece weighs up available options, considering their tactical fit, experience, and availability. It frames the decision as critical for Italy's trajectory ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Chance analysis
The Italy national team coaching vacancy is a high-stakes decision that will shape the Azzurri's competitive prospects in upcoming tournaments. The choice of coach affects tactical identity, player selection, and squad morale. A speculative shortlist of this nature has limited predictive value but indicates the FIGC's decision-making timeline and the candidates in the frame.
The eventual appointment will reset Italy's tactical direction and could affect the availability and form of key Azzurri players in upcoming international windows.
Track which candidate is appointed, as the new Italy coach's style will influence player call-ups and match expectations for upcoming international fixtures.