News Focus
- Leonardo Bonucci calls Pep Guardiola the ideal candidate for the Italy national team job.
- The Manchester City manager is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium when the current campaign ends.
- Italy must wait until June 2026 to appoint a new coach due to upcoming federation elections.
- Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Claudio Ranieri have emerged as the leading contenders.
- The Italian FA has not yet contacted any candidates while the presidential position remains vacant.
Former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci has described Pep Guardiola as the perfect man to lead the Azzurri, though he admits the appointment remains highly unlikely. The ex-Juventus centre-back, who recently worked as Gennaro Gattuso’s assistant, stated that appointing the Spanish tactician would be a dream scenario for the national side.
Guardiola is widely expected to step down from his role at Manchester City at the end of this season. The Premier League champions are reportedly lining up Enzo Maresca as his successor at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italy job has become available following another failed World Cup qualifying campaign. However, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) cannot hire a permanent manager until after the presidential election on 22 June 2026. Outgoing president Gabriele Gravina is currently only handling administrative matters, meaning no official approach has been made to any potential candidates.
While Guardiola considers his future – with reports suggesting he may take a break from football after a decade in England – three Italian coaches have emerged as realistic options.
Antonio Conte appears ready to leave Napoli after just two seasons in charge and has publicly expressed interest in managing the national team for a second time. Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri faces an uncertain future at AC Milan despite having a year remaining on his contract. His deal could extend to 2028 if the Rossoneri secure Champions League football, but tensions with senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and chief executive Giorgio Furlani may force him out.
Claudio Ranieri completes the trio of candidates. The veteran manager rejected the role in June because he was committed to Roma, but he told Sky Sport Italia earlier this month that he would now consider the position. “I could not manage both jobs at that time,” Ranieri explained. “Now I am available, so if they call me, why not? You should never say never.”