Three Italy legends are being eyed for the national team, after Luciano Spalletti's sacking and facing Claudio Ranieri and Stefano Pioli rejections.
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Italy have parted ways with Spalletti Ranieri and Pioli have turned down advances from ItalyThree legendary players eyed to take on coaching role Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Italy's quest to find a new manager for the national team continues, with reports from Italy (h/t Calciomercato) claiming that the Italian football federation (FIGC) have shortlisted three legendary former players — Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso, and Daniele De Rossi — to take charge of the Azzurri.
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The Italian national team have going through a turbulent time ever since winning the European Championship in 2021, failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Following Italy's harrowing 3-0 defeat to Norway last week, FIGC decided to sack Spalletti from his role, leaving the post vacant. In the days since, Claudio Ranieri was approached, with fans even clamoring for his appointment. However, the former Roma and Leicester City boss turned down the offer. Then, Italy turned to former AC Milan and current Al-Nassr coach Stefano Pioli, but he, too, declined the opportunity.
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There's still a minor chance that Pioli accepts FIGC's invitation to become Italy's national team manager. Although he remains contracted to Al-Nassr until 2027, he is expected to return to Serie A this summer and sign a three-year deal with Fiorentina, with a verbal agreement already in place. The final decision, though, will rest on the head coach.
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It remains to be seen if one of Cannavaro, De Rossi, or Gattuso take up the managerial role and revive the fortunes of the national team. The FIGC will have to move fast, with the next set of international games scheduled to be played in September.
