MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: General view inside the stadium before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Ruzzani/Getty Images)
According to reports in Italy, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte are the frontrunners to become Italy’s new coach after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Italy has not participated in the World Cup for 12 years, but the new coach’s biggest goal is to qualify for the 2030 tournament.
The Azzurri finished their 2026 World Cup qualifying group in second place behind Norway and therefore qualified for the play-off qualifiers, facing Northern Ireland in the semi-finals and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final.
There are two main candidates for the position of Italy national team coach.
Naturally they were the favorites to qualify, but those who feared the Azzurri would feel pressured by missing out on qualification twice ended up reaping the benefits in Melbet.
Following Italy’s third consecutive year of blunders, coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned, followed by FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, who was replaced a few months later by Giovanni Malago, who was elected on June 22, 2026 with around 69% of votes from various stakeholders in Italian football.
Malago’s biggest priority is appointing a new Italy manager, with Mancini and former Napoli manager Conte currently the main candidates.
Italian media have also mentioned the names of other managers, including Josep Guardiola, but in the end it is likely to be reduced to a two-horse race between Mancini and Conte.
Both are already managers of the Italian national team. Mancini won Euro 2021 but missed out on next year’s World Cup, while Conte reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
Malago is aware that deciding on a new manager is one of the first decisions he has to make, along with the appointment of a technical director, reportedly Paolo Maldini, and offers have already been made.
Mr. Malago said at his first press conference after being elected FIGC chairman:
“It is incredible that Mr. Gravina was unable to push through any of his proposed reforms despite being re-elected by virtually unanimous consent a year ago.
“Objectively, the situation is completely fossilized. I will continue to defend the autonomy of the sport, but if we can’t change our ways, someone has to put us in a position to change. It’s very simple.”
Malago’s other big goal is to identify a venue for Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Türkiye.
“EURO 2032 is a challenge within a challenge. I have spoken to (UEFA president Aleksandar) Ceferin in the last few days and I have already received a message from (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino,” he added.
“Michele Uva is a figure in our UEFA structure. We need to identify these five stadiums.”
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