With Cesare Prandelli officially appointed as manager of Galatasaray FC, a top club in the Turkish League, a big question looms in the wake of the vacant Italian National Team Head Coach position.
The favorites to grab the spot are former Zenit manager Luciano Spalletti, and former Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini.
Italy is looking to bounce back and regain their dominance in Europe with a high result in Euro 2016.
1. Luciano Spalletti
Spalletti has emerged as one of the favorites to take over the helm in Italy. After getting sacked by Zenit St. Petersburg, Spalletti hopes to make a comeback with Italy.
He has also been linked with several managerial positions in the Serie A.
Current Managerial Position: Unemployed
Career Win Percentage: 45.84%
Honors won:
- 1995 – 1996: Won Serie C1 Play-Offs With Empoli
- 1996 – 1997: Won Serie B Promotion With Empoli
- 2006 – 2007: Won Coppa Italia with Roma
- 2007 – 2008: Won Coppa Italia with Roma
- 2007: Won Supercoppa Italia with Roma
- 2009 – 2010: Won Russian Cup with Zenit
- 2010 – 2011: Won Russian Premier League with Zenit
- 2011 – 2012: Won Russian Premier League with Zenit
- 2011: Won Russian Super Cup with Zenit
2. Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini is the most qualified and most decorated manager from the group of candidates. His fallout with Galatasaray has Mancini looking for a new employer.
He admitted to being drawn by the idea of coaching the Italian National Team.
“Italy would be an honour for me,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “No one called me but I would be proud.”
“FIGC [Italian Football Association] need serious and competent men.”
He was then quoted criticizing Mario Balotelli, “I love Balotelli, but he must grow up. With Verratti and Immobile, the team can be reconstructed.”
Current Managerial Position: Unemployed
Career Win Percentage: 56.13%
Honors won:
- 2000 – 2001: Won Coppa Italia with Fiorentina
- 2003 – 2004: Won Coppa Italia with Lazio
- 2005 – 2006: Won Serie A League with Inter Milan
- 2006 – 2007: Won Serie A League with Inter Milan
- 2007 – 2008: Won Serie A League with Inter Milan
- 2004 – 2005: Won Coppa Italia with Inter Milan
- 2005 – 2006: Won Coppa Italia with Inter Milan
- 2005: Won Supercoppa Italiana with Inter Milan
- 2006: Won Supercoppa Italiana with Inter Milan
- 2011 – 2012: Won English Premier League with Manchester City
- 2010 – 2011: Won FA Cup with Manchester City
- 2012: Won FA Community Shield with Manchester City
- 2013 – 2014: Won Turkish Cup with Galatasary
3. Francesco Guidolin
Perhaps the least qualified for the position, Guidolin is not a favorite to win the position. Guidolin stepped down from Udinese at the end of last season and is looking to take over the Azzurri.
Antonio Di Natale, however, believes Guidolin would be an excellent choice to replace Cesare Prandelli as Italy’s coach.
“After a 30-year career he would be a good man for the Nazionale,” he told reporters. “He has a lot of qualities, he would deserve it.
“He is ready for Italy, he would be happy if the federation choose him.”
Current Managerial Position: Unemployed
Career Win Percentage: 38.7%
Honors:
- 1996 – 1997: Won Coppa Italia with Vicenza
- 2009 – 2010: Won Coach of the Year in Italy with Udinese
4. Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri used to be one of the brightest managers several years back when he was winning with AC Milan. Then, at the beginning of last year, his worst season as a head coach turned his status around. In January he was fired for an abysmal season with Milan and has been unemployed since then.
Current Managerial Position: Unemployed
Career Win Percentage: 46.8%
Honors:
- 2007 – 2008: Won Serie C1 with Sassuolo
- 2008 – 2009: Won Coach of the Year in Italy with Cagliari
- 2010 – 2011: Won Coach of the Year in Italy with AC Milan
- 2010 – 2011: Won Serie A League with AC Milan
- 2011 – 2012: Won Supercoppa Italia with AC Milan
