The FIGC have identified Luciano Spalletti as their primary option to replace Roberto Mancini but Antoino Conte is the backup, Gianluca Di Marzio details.
The report highlights how the Italian FA quickly contacted Luciano Spalletti after learning of Mancini’s decision to resign via a certified email on Saturday night. The former Napoli coach is currently on holiday in Tuscany, taking things slow after stepping away from the Campania capital this summer.
Spalletti gave his full availability to FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, keen on the idea of replacing Mancini as the new Italy coach, but his termination clause at Napoli has proved problematic.
Neither the coach nor the FA are willing to pay Napoli the circa €3m clause and no negotiations are ongoing between Spalletti and the club for the time being. A legal assessment in also taking place, considering that the non-competition clause may not relate to the national team.
The FIGC hope to hear back from Aurelio De Laurentiis soon but are willing to wait 48 hours at most. Gravina is now in constant contact with the Napoli president, trying to unblock the situation.
In the meantime, the Italian FA have also contacted Conte, who immediately understood why Spalletti had been contacted before him, feeling no ill will. He remains on standby, willing to return to the role he held from 2014 to 2016.
Personally, I would like Roberto De Zerbi.
The way his Brighton team attack and defend is second to none.
For me the contenders would be between
Gian Piero Gasperini
Luciano Spalletti
Roberto De Zerbi
Antonio Conte