Antonio Conte has urged the Italian Football Federation to appoint Pep Guardiola as the new head coach of the national team.
Conte announced on Sunday that he is leaving Napoli after the team finished second in Serie A, 11 points behind champions Inter Milan.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager has been heavily linked with a return to Italy’s national side after they failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this summer.
But speaking after his final game in charge of Napoli, which ended with a 1-0 win at home to Udinese, Conte suggested that Guardiola would be his top pick to take charge of Italy, who are without a manager after Gennaro Gattuso resigned last month.
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‘People are talking. I remember what I said about the national team, namely that among the list of candidates I would also include Conte. Today there still isn’t a federation president,’ Conte said.
‘Guardiola’s name has also been mentioned but is the federation ready to have a top coach? Having one means burdens as well as honours.
‘At the moment there is nothing, I don’t know if there will be in the future. If you want a top coach, my advice is Guardiola, but are there enough funds?’
Pep Guardiola next job odds
England national team – 9/4
Italy national team – 5/2
Brazil national team – 9/2
Barcelona – 5/1
Bayern Munich – 11/2
Any MLS club – 7/1
Spain national team – 15/2
Argentina national team – 9/1
France national team – 11/1
PSG – 16/1
Athletic Bilbao – 33/1
Liverpool – 33/1
Real Madrid – 50/1
Celtic – 50/1
Man United – 50/1
Odds via Paddy Power
Meanwhile, Guardiola said farewell to Manchester City on Sunday after confirming his decision to leave the club last week.
Guardiola is now taking a break from management after spending a decade at City, but he has agreed to take an global ambassadorial role with the City Football Group (CFG).
‘It is the right time. I will not miss it for a while, that’s for sure,’ Guardiola said after City’s final game of the season, which ended with a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
‘I feel deeply that the decision is the right decision for this club and the players. I thank the club for respecting it, they understood.
‘I am so tired. Seriously, I am so tired. I did everything. We did it.
‘The memories I have of Barcelona and Bayern Munich are unbeatable but the luggage of memories I have from here from 10 years is more than any other.
‘Without the trophies I would have been sacked but it is not looking at the trophies in the cabinet at home that makes me happy.
‘It is the memories and connections I had since day one with the city, the backroom staff and the players.’
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