According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Antonio Conte would be the ideal choice to lead the Italian national team, but only if he agrees to a four-year commitment with the explicit goal of guiding the Azzurri back to the World Cup in 2030.
Conte is reportedly set to depart from Napoli after two seasons, with his final match for the club scheduled for Sunday against Udinese at the Stadio Maradona.
The former Juventus and Inter Milan manager is considered a strong contender for the Italy coaching position, potentially returning to Coverciano, where he previously managed from 2014 to 2016.
Despite a less-than-talented squad during his first tenure, Conte successfully led Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they were eliminated by Germany on penalties. La Gazzetta highlighted his ability to utilize the national team as motivation during a difficult period, suggesting he’s the right figure for another rebuilding phase.
The newspaper contrasted Conte’s potential with other high-profile names. While Pep Guardiola could generate excitement, his coaching style, which relies on daily training, might not be as effective at the national team level. Roberto Mancini’s successful Euro 2021 victory was seen as tarnished by his subsequent move to Saudi Arabia.
La Gazzetta emphasized that the opportunity for Conte to return should be fully embraced, with the crucial condition that he commits not just to Euro 2028 but also to the 2030 World Cup. This long-term vision is seen as essential to finally overcome the team’s recent failures to qualify for football’s premier tournament.
Conte’s coaching career is characterized by strong results and loyalty to his clubs, although he has rarely stayed beyond two years. His longest tenure was with Juventus (2011-2014), with subsequent spells at Italy, Chelsea, Inter, Tottenham, and Napoli all lasting two seasons.
The publication argued that Italy cannot afford a short-term appointment and requires Conte’s four-year commitment to achieve the “enormous objective” of returning to the World Cup after three consecutive misses. Achieving this would be a historic feat, comparable to winning the World Cup itself.
The report concluded that a “Conte 2030” scenario would benefit all parties, including the coach. If he successfully restores Italy to its former glory, he would be remembered as a pivotal figure in the nation’s football history.
