De Laurentiis Open to Conte Becoming Italy Coach, Backs Malagò for FIGC President
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has indicated he would permit Antonio Conte to take on the role of Italy's national team coach. He also endorsed Giovanni Malagò as the ideal candidate for the new FIGC President, calling him "the perfect person."
De Laurentiis confirmed his openness to releasing Conte from his Napoli duties at the season's end, should he be offered the national team position. Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles during the premiere of a documentary on Napoli's fourth Scudetto, De Laurentiis stated, "If Antonio asked me, I think I’d say yes."
However, De Laurentiis added a caveat, suggesting that Conte, being highly intelligent, would likely be reluctant to take charge of a "completely disorganised" setup without a "serious interlocutor," of which, he noted, there have been few so far.
Conte is widely considered one of the top contenders for the vacant Italy national team coaching role. The FIGC is not expected to appoint a successor until after June 22, when a new President for the federation will be elected. Both FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and national team coach Gattuso submitted their resignations last week, following Italy’s unexpected elimination from the World Cup play-offs.
The Azzurri are scheduled to play two friendly matches in June, under the temporary leadership of a caretaker coach, most probably Silvio Baldini.
Furthermore, De Laurentiis reiterated his support for Giovanni Malagò as his preferred candidate for the new FIGC Presidency. The Napoli owner concluded by stating, "He’s the perfect person to first serve as a commissioner and then as the President of a new Federation."
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