Ancelotti Out of the Running for Italy, Conte Advancing | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti had been suggested as an ideal candidate to take over Italy, but he’ll continue to helm Brazil, while Antonio Conte is breaking away from the competition. The former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager is on the verge of agreeing to a contract extension, ESPN reports.

He’ll likely pen it well ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup. The boss will keep earning €10M per year, while his assistants will get a raise. It’ll technically be a two-year renewal with an automatic option for two more. He has recorded five wins, two draws, and three losses in ten games with La Seleçao.

While poaching Ancelotti was a long shot for Italy, Conte personally promoted his candidacy following the Milan clash. Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis doubled down on the notion, signaling that he wouldn’t block the manager’s exit if he asked for it. However, the tycoon added that he doubted the gaffer would do it without a clear project and steady leadership.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the current Partenopei boss has widespread support among all the presidential candidates. If the hiring didn’t come together, Roberto Mancini would be the likeliest fallback. He’s chomping at the bit to return, but his abrupt departure is still an open wound.

Our Take on Italy, Ancelotti, and Conte

Perhaps there was something there regarding the former if Brazil rushed to lock him down, which is unusual since he has yet to guide them in a real competition. If Napoli don’t pose obstacles, only the Federation can mess things up with the latter, which is entirely possible. Given his controlling character, he’ll quickly pull out if he notices something that he doesn’t like.