Abete: Ranieri a ‘quality name’ for Italy job | OneFootball

Giancarlo Abete, a candidate for the FIGC Presidency, is hesitant to disclose his preferred choices for key roles in the Italy squad, including the head coach position, but acknowledges that Claudio Ranieri is a ‘quality name.’

Abete, a former FIGC President from 2007 to 2014, will once again run to lead the Italian FA in June, challenging ex-CONI President Giovanni Malagò.

Both released their programs on Thursday, and Abete further discussed his candidacy on Friday.

“I expected to see other proposals regarding names and programs, but they didn’t materialise,” Abete told reporters via TMW.

Abete: Ranieri already approached by Italy in the past

“There aren’t any names indicated in the document. Surely, there’s a need to identify the right people, especially in Club Italia, who would add value to the project that has been ongoing for years.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Giancarlo Abete Former President of FIGC arrives at Gran Galà Del Calcio AlC 2025 on December 01, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sara Cavallini/Getty Images)

“Each one of us might have some names in mind, but has no right to make them public, unless the subjects involved are interested.”

The new FIGC President will be elected on June 22, and after that, the federation will hire a new head coach.

Claudio Ranieri has left his role as Roma’s Senior Advisor, so he’s available to take over at La Nazionale.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on May 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“There are quality names, and in this case, there was already an approach at different times,” Abete replied when specifically asked about Ranieri.

“The spirit is to identify people who can serve as reference points for the technical project. There are a few people in Italy who can have this task, not in a particularly large number; you can count them on one hand, but this is part of different timing and relations.