According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Antonio Conte would be an ideal choice to lead the Italian national team, provided he agrees to a four-year commitment with the ultimate goal of securing qualification for the 2030 World Cup.
Conte is expected to conclude his tenure at Napoli after two seasons, with his final match for the club scheduled for Sunday against Udinese.
The publication considers the current Napoli boss among the top candidates to take the helm of the Azzurri, potentially returning to Coverciano, the national team’s training center, after his previous stint from 2014 to 2016.
Despite a squad not brimming with star power during his first tenure, Conte successfully guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they were eliminated by Germany in a penalty shootout.
“He utilized the Azzurri as a catalyst. At such a somber juncture, it’s difficult to envision a more suitable figure for another rebuilding phase,” wrote Gazzetta.
“While Pep Guardiola would undoubtedly generate immense enthusiasm, his tactical approach necessitates daily training sessions and would likely prove less effective at the national team level. Roberto Mancini achieved a significant triumph by winning the Euros in 2021, only to diminish that accomplishment with his subsequent move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023. The path should be wide open for a second period under Conte. However, this is contingent on him not merely focusing on the 2028 European Championship, but instead setting his sights on the 2030 World Cup and finally breaking the streak of failures to qualify for football’s most prestigious tournament. This is a crucial consideration.”
Conte’s coaching history is marked by strong results and a degree of loyalty to his employers. His longest tenure was with Juventus, spanning from 2011 to 2014. His subsequent roles with the Italian national team, Chelsea, Inter, Tottenham, and Napoli each lasted approximately two seasons.
“Italy cannot afford a short-term solution; it requires Conte to commit for four years. The objective is monumental, and its achievement would etch his name in history: bringing Italy back to the World Cup after three consecutive disappointments,” concluded Gazzetta.
“In such an event, it would feel akin to winning the World Cup itself. A ‘Conte 2030’ project would be mutually beneficial. If he can restore Italy to its former glory, he will be remembered as the architect of the nation’s footballing resurgence.”