FIGC presidential candidates back Conte as top choice for Italy coach – report

Antonio Conte has reportedly emerged as the top contender for the Italy national team head coach position, receiving strong endorsement from prospective FIGC presidential candidates Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete.

The current Napoli coach is seen as the leading individual to take over from Gennaro Gattuso as the manager of the Italian national side.

Why Conte is favourite to become new Italy coach

According to insights from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Partenopei boss has the backing of both Malagò and Abete, who are widely expected to be among the contenders for the FIGC Presidency.

The election for the new president of the Italian Football Federation is scheduled for June 22. Consequently, the two Azzurri fixtures preceding this date in the same month will be managed by an interim coach.

Gazzetta reported on Wednesday’s front page that both Abete and Malagò consider Conte the ideal choice to steer the Azzurri through their qualification campaign for Euro 2028 and beyond.

At present, not all potential candidates for the FIGC Presidency have been publicly named, and neither Malagò (67) nor Abete (75) has officially confirmed their intent to run for the role.

Nevertheless, numerous sources suggest they are prominent frontrunners, despite ongoing rumors that legendary Azzurri figures such as Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Del Piero, and Demetrio Albertini might also be involved in the presidential contest.

In addition to Conte, Gazzetta notes that Roberto Mancini and Massimiliano Allegri are also being considered as primary alternatives for the coaching role.

While Conte’s contract at the Stadio Maradona is set to expire in June 2027, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has previously indicated his willingness to allow the Italian tactician to take on the Azzurri national team coaching position.