Carlo Ancelotti in frame for top clubs after ‘rejecting Italy job’

They might have missed out on qualification to Russia 2018, but there is still a buzz of excitement around the Italian national team and their next managerial appointment.

The shortlist to replace Gian Piero Ventura is as impressive as it is extensive. Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte (again), Claudio Ranieri and Carlo Ancelotti have all been linked with the role.

As reported in Corriere dello Sport, however, Ancelotti has now turned down the Italy job. There are several reasons behind his decision, with both financial considerations and concerns about the structure of the national team hierarchy supposedly playing their part.

Another club job?

Ancelotti also sees himself as a club manager first and foremost and reportedly wants another job in club football. Having won the Champions League three times as a manager and the league title in four different countries – with Milan in Italy, Chelsea in England, PSG in France and Bayern Munich in Germany – he won’t be short of suitors this summer.

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Ancelotti has been tenuously linked with the Arsenal job in recent weeks, though seems an outside bet to be appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor.

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Meanwhile, Conte and Mancini remain in the frame to coach the Azzurri. There is less hype with regards to Ranieri, who has had mixed fortunes with Nantes in Ligue 1 this campaign.