ANTONIO CONTE AND MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI EMERGE AS TOP CONTENDERS FOR ITALY POST
Italy is searching for a new coach after the national team vacancy. With FIGC elections on June 22, we analyse the frontrunners to lead.
Massimiliano Allegri isn’t out of the running to become Italy’s next head coach just yet, according to some reports.
With two months left until June 22nd, when the FIGC federal elections will decide the new face of Italian football leadership, the spotlight remains on Giancarlo Abete and Giovanni Malagò, both hoping to step into the role after Gabriele Gravina's resignation.
While the election looms, the position of Italy's national team coach is still up in the air. Gennaro Gattuso has been replaced on an interim basis by Silvio Baldini, the current coach of the Italian Under-21 side, who will oversee the upcoming friendlies against Greece and Luxembourg in June.
Expect this version of Italy to be quite experimental, featuring many younger players. According to Calciomercato.com, three main contenders stand out for the permanent position: Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, and Roberto Mancini.
Conte has openly expressed interest in returning to the national team post, having held the job before. His potential departure from Napoli doesn’t seem to raise major concerns, especially since it could relieve club president Aurelio De Laurentiis from a substantial wage bill and allow him to explore other options. This is a big factor putting Conte in a strong position.
Allegri hasn’t ruled himself out either, but has pointed out that everything depends largely on who takes charge of the federation. The Livorno-born coach is reportedly intrigued by the prospect of leading Italy again, but also aims to continue his second stint at AC Milan.
Discussions are ongoing about next season, particularly with Milan eyeing a return to the Champions League. This means Allegri’s chances might not look as bright right now, but given the regard Malagò has for him, it’s premature to dismiss him completely.
Roberto Mancini is also interested in returning to the national team after coaching stints in Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Al Sadd. He’s waiting for the upcoming federal elections to set the stage for Italy’s future direction.
Meanwhile, a few other names deserve mention: Simone Inzaghi, currently at Al-Hilal but keen to come back to a significant role in Italy, and Stefano Pioli, who is a free agent at the moment. And of course, while it may be more of a wishlist, some eyes remain on high-profile figures like Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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