Mancini, Gattuso and other 2006 Italy World Cup winners emerge to replace Spalletti | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli isn’t the only candidate to replace Luciano Spalletti as the Italy national team coach after Claudio Ranieri’s refusal. According to Gazzetta, ex-Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini is a ‘strong’ option, but 2006 World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro, Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso also remain in the frame.

Italy are due to pick their next coach after Spalletti, but FIGC remains with few options available after Ranieri decided to stick to his advisor role at Roma.

Gazzetta: Mancini a strong candidate to replace Spalletti as Italy coach

AL RAYYAN, QATAR – JANUARY 25: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group F match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand at Education City Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Football Italia already reported Pioli was a possible candidate for the job, although Al-Nassr haven’t yet released the Italian tactician, who has an agreement in principle with Fiorentina.

These aspects are convincing the Italian Federation to look elsewhere, according to Gazzetta and Sky Sport Italia.

Italy World Cup winners linked with replacing Spalletti

BERLIN – JULY 09: Andrea Pirlo of Italy kisses the World Cup trophy following his team’s victory in a penalty shootout at the end of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The pink paper reports that ex-Azzurri coach Mancini is a ‘strong candidate’, although it remains to be seen whether his shocking exit in 2023 is still having consequences internally.

Alternative paths lead to 2006 World Cup winners Cannavaro, De Rossi, and Gattuso, who are all currently without a club.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Gattuso is currently one of the leading candidates for the role.

Italy beat Moldova 2-0 on Monday in Spalletti’s final game as the Azzurri head coach.