Antonio Conte among contenders for Italy managerial job

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 February 2018

Italian Football Federation chief Roberto Fabbricini confirms that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is in the running to manage the Italy national side for a second time.

Italian Football Federation chief Roberto Fabbricini has revealed that under-fire Chelsea boss Antonio Conte "seems eager" to manage Italy for a second time.

The 48-year-old enjoyed a year to remember upon joining the Blues 18 months ago, lifting the Premier League title with a record number of wins and reaching the final of the FA Cup.

A season of inconsistency and backroom politics has seen the pressure grow on Conte this time around, however, and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly tempted to pull the trigger before the summer arrives.

Conte may be offered a quick route back to management should he leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks and months, though, as he is in contention to succeed Giampiero Ventura as Italy boss.

"The names are the ones you know," Fabbricini told reporters after being unveiled as the Azzurri's commissioner for the next six months. "[Roberto] Mancini was in Rome but we didn't contact him; Conte seems eager to wear Azzurro again; [Carlo] Ancelotti opens and closes the door and [Claudio] Ranieri isn't out either.

"There's no-one in pole position, we have to evaluate the pros and cons. We also have to evaluate the availability of the Federation, and explain to those who will come after us that there will be new governance."

Conte previously managed Italy between 2014 and 2016, leaving at the end of Euro 2016 in which they reached the quarter-final stage.