Conte and Allegri emerge as popular choices for Italy job despite club commitments
Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte have emerged as two of the most popular choices among fans to become the next head coach of the Italian national team, according to reports in Italy. Both managers are currently under contract with AC Milan and Napoli respectively until 2027, complicating any potential approach from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). The pair, who have won 11 of the last 15 Serie A titles between them, are set to face each other on Monday when Allegri's Milan visits Conte's Napoli in a crucial match for second place.
The upcoming clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is seen as a direct contest between two distinct footballing philosophies, with Conte's structured, possession-based approach contrasting with Allegri's pragmatic and vertical style. Despite their differences, both have been serial winners, with Conte claiming five league titles across spells with Juventus, Inter, and Napoli, and Allegri securing six, including one with Milan and five consecutive triumphs with Juventus. Their proven track records in Italian football make them appealing candidates to lead the Azzurri's rebuild.
However, securing either manager would require complex negotiations with their current clubs. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reportedly keen for Conte to see out the three-year project he began last season, which culminated in a Scudetto. Similarly, Allegri has reintegrated successfully at Milan, guiding the team beyond expectations this season and into a title race with Inter. According to the source material, Allegri is settled at the club and is focused on building a squad capable of immediate success, though he has been linked with other elite clubs like Real Madrid.
The allure of managing the national team remains strong for both, but their existing contracts place them behind other candidates in terms of logistical ease. Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini, now at Al-Sadd in Qatar, is considered a simpler solution and is reportedly backed by some federation figures. Other names in the frame include Vincenzo Montella, Simone Inzaghi, Stefano Pioli, and Gian Piero Gasperini, while high-profile suggestions like Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola represent more ambitious, albeit unlikely, targets.
The immediate focus for Conte and Allegri remains club success. Monday's match carries significant weight in the Serie A standings, with the winner keeping faint title hopes alive should league leaders Inter stumble. Both Milan and Napoli are well-positioned to qualify for the Champions League next season, which further incentivizes their clubs to retain their services. The FIGC's search for a new technical commissioner is ongoing, but any move for either Allegri or Conte would signal a major commitment and likely involve a substantial compensation package.
