Three candidates emerge to replace Gattuso as head coach of Italy national team
The post-mortem on Italian football is currently dominating the headlines across Europe. Following another catastrophic failure to qualify for the World Cup—the third consecutive time the Azzurri will miss the grandest stage—Gennaro Gattuso was essentially forced to hand in his resignation. The passionate but tactically limited former midfielder could not extract consistent performances from a deeply flawed squad. Now, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is desperately searching for a savior.
According to my sources closely tied to the federation in Rome, the shortlist has been rapidly narrowed down to three distinct candidates. Each manager represents a wildly different philosophical approach to rebuilding the national program, and the ultimate decision will signal exactly how the FIGC intends to fix the deep-rooted systemic issues plaguing their development pipeline.
The Pragmatist: Massimiliano Allegri
If the FIGC wants stability above all else, Allegri is the obvious choice. Having spent the last few years out of the managerial spotlight, the former Juventus boss is reportedly eager for a return to the dugout. Allegri is a master of defensive organization and in-game tactical management. He does not care about beautiful, expansive football; he cares about winning 1-0 ugly.
Given how defensively fragile and disorganized Italy looked under Gattuso, bringing in a man who built his entire career on the concept of ‘Corto Muso’ (winning by a narrow margin) makes logical sense. However, critics correctly point out that international football has evolved. The days of parking the bus and relying solely on counter-attacks are fading. Does Allegri possess the attacking imagination to break down the stubborn low-blocks that minnow nations constantly deploy against Italy during qualifiers? That is the major sticking point.
The Revolutionary: Roberto De Zerbi
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum sits Roberto De Zerbi. The fiery tactician is beloved by football purists for his hyper-aggressive, possession-based style. De Zerbi’s teams bait the opposition press by passing around their own penalty box, creating artificial transitions. It is beautiful, heart-in-mouth football.
Hiring De Zerbi would be an admission by the FIGC that the old Italian way is dead, and a complete cultural reset is required. He would immediately discard the aging veterans and build a squad around technically gifted, progressive youth. But there is a massive caveat. De Zerbi’s system requires months of daily, rigorous repetition on the training ground to master. National team managers only get their players for brief, chaotic ten-day windows. Trying to implement such a complex philosophy with limited practice time is an enormous, highly volatile risk.
The Return of the King: Antonio Conte
The third name on the list is a familiar one. Antonio Conte managed the national team before, dragging a relatively poor squad to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 through sheer force of will. Conte is a demanding, obsessive taskmaster. He doesn’t just manage a team; he goes to war with them.
Italy’s current squad lacks leaders. They look mentally fragile when they go a goal down. Conte would immediately inject a ruthless, unforgiving mentality into the dressing room. His intense physical conditioning camps would ensure the team outruns every opponent. The problem with Conte is the baggage. He is notoriously difficult to work with, constantly demanding more funding and structural changes from his employers. The FIGC is a highly political, bureaucratic organization, and Conte’s abrasive personality would inevitably lead to massive boardroom clashes.
The decision is expected within the fortnight. They cannot afford to get this wrong. Another failed cycle, and the Italian national team risks slipping permanently into international irrelevance.
Jennifer Ledon is a European football analyst for 234sport. Based in London, she covers the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A transfer windows. Jennifer’s work focuses on tactical breakdowns and breaking international transfer news, providing deep insights into the world’s most competitive football leagues.
