CONFIRMED: Italy national team locks in bringing great coach back to the hot seat

Following their failure to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup, Italy is believed to be set to hire Antonio Conte with a deal lasting until 2030 to initiate a new rebuilding phase.

The Italian national team is preparing to enter a new chapter as Antonio Conte is reportedly about to sign a four-year contract to become the new head coach of the Azzurri. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has selected the 56-year-old tactician to lead the team on the journey toward the 2030 World Cup.

This move comes after the disappointing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign of the Italian team. The FIGC leadership wants to end short-term solutions and build a long-term project, capable of bringing the four-time world champion back to its rightful position on the world football map.

According to the plan, Conte will sign a contract until 2030. This is not just a contract for a head coach, but also a statement of the comprehensive rebuilding direction of Italian football in the coming years.

Conte is no stranger to the Azzurri. He led the national team from 2014 to 2016 and left a strong mark at Euro 2016. Despite not having a squad rated very highly, the Italian tactician still helped the Azzurri go deep in the tournament with highly organized play, while defeating Spain and causing many difficulties for Germany.

Conte's return has also received support from many Serie A clubs. The clubs highly value his ability to build a collective, tactical discipline, and fierce work ethic. Experts believe that Conte's presence will contribute to improving the quality of the entire Italian football system, especially in youth player development.

Before reaching an agreement with the FIGC, Conte had just left Napoli after helping the club win the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup. Despite still being successful, he is said to feel that Napoli's development cycle has closed and is ready to accept a new challenge at the national team level.

Conte's biggest goal will be to build a collective capable of competing at World Cup 2030, a tournament to be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The four-year period is considered sufficient for him to convey his football philosophy, rejuvenate the squad, and create a stable team.

If the deal is completed in the coming days, Antonio Conte will officially begin his second term as head coach of the Italian national team. Azzurri fans expect the manager, who has succeeded with Juventus, Chelsea, and Napoli, to help the national team regain its image as a top European football power, while aiming to conquer major titles in the future.