Two leading candidates named for Italy head coach role

Italy suffered defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, after which their head coach stepped down. The federation is now evaluating potential replacements.

Details: According to insider Gianluca Di Marzio, Gattuso will indeed not continue with the Azzurri. The shortlist has already been defined, with AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri and Napoli manager Antonio Conte emerging as the two main contenders for the position.

Italy will miss the World Cup for the third consecutive time, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, and now the 2026 edition as well.

Reminder: Italy were beaten in the final stage of qualification for the 2026 World Cup and will not take part in the tournament, prompting a reaction from another national team coach — Lionel Scaloni.