Antonio Conte’s Italy bench remains in doubt with Francesco Guidolin, Alberto Zaccheroni and Luciano Spalletti among options.

The Coach reacted furiously to the controversy over Claudio Marchisio’s injury and engaged in an ugly war of words with his former club Juventus.

Antonio Conte’s Italy bench remains in doubt with Francesco Guidolin, Alberto Zaccheroni and Luciano Spalletti among options.

The Coach reacted furiously to the controversy over Claudio Marchisio’s injury and engaged in an ugly war of words with his former club Juventus.

He also received death threats and his future may well depend on the reception he gets at the Juventus Stadium in Tuesday’s friendly against England.

“I can’t just let some things slide as if they didn’t happen. Some things stay. They wounded me,” said Conte in a Press conference after last night’s 2-2 draw with Bulgaria.

“I just ask to be left to work in peace. Results can be positive or not. But underhand comments, those…. I can’t let those slide. I have the memory of an elephant.”

Today La Gazzetta dello Sport considers the possible options if Conte should walk away, perhaps even before June’s crunch qualifier in Croatia.

The targets are the same tacticians who had been in the running for this job before Conte got the nod last August.

They are ex-Japan manager Zaccheroni and current Udinese director and former Coach Guidolin.

Spalletti is also an alternative, but the FIGC faces huge competition from Serie A sides including Milan and Napoli for the ex-Zenit boss.

The Federation could also promote current Italy Under-21 Coach Gigi Di Biagio to the main bench.

“I’ve never seen an Italy Coach attacked in this manner,” said FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio on Saturday.

“I don’t understand this ganging up on him. He feels vilified. I spent some time with him and if you ask me whether he was calm, I have to say no, he was not. And that’s terrible.

“I don’t think Conte will leave us, though. He’ll go through the European Championship.”

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