Capello Weighs In on Italy's Managerial Search, Backs Conte or Allegri
Fabio Capello has identified Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as the standout candidates to become Italy's next head coach, according to an interview published on Monday. The former England and Russia manager offered his analysis of the two leading contenders, both of whom are currently under contract with Napoli and AC Milan respectively, complicating any immediate appointment.
Capello acknowledged the impressive trophy hauls of both managers, noting that among active Italian coaches, only Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini have won more titles. Allegri leads Serie A with six scudetti, while Conte has five in Italy plus a Premier League title with Chelsea. "They would be two great candidates," Capello said, while cautioning that the national team job is a fundamentally different role from club management.
The veteran coach drew on his own international experience to outline the key challenge facing the next Azzurri boss. He stressed that reviving the national team requires building a strong core unit that functions as a cohesive team, a process that demands time and a specific managerial approach. Capello did not explicitly endorse one candidate over the other but highlighted their contrasting styles.
He described Conte as the more experienced and prepared for the immediate challenges of the role, suggesting he would already know what to expect. In contrast, he characterized Allegri as a quicker learner and more diplomatic figure. This distinction points to the different personalities either manager would bring to a squad rebuilding after failing to qualify for the last two World Cups.
The managerial search comes at a critical juncture for the Italian Football Federation, which must find a long-term successor to Luciano Spalletti following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. Both Conte and Allegri present proven, trophy-winning pedigrees but would require significant negotiations to be released from their current club contracts, with Conte having just begun a project at Napoli and Allegri entrenched at Milan.
Capello's comments add weight to the growing consensus that the next appointment will likely come from this pair of seasoned domestic winners. His insight underscores that beyond tactics, the successful candidate will need to foster unity and a clear identity within the squad, a task for which both men have demonstrated aptitude in their club careers, albeit in different ways.
