An unexpected twist threatens to shake up the future of the Italian national team: Al-Ittihad is about to present a multimillion-dollar offer to Antonio Conte in an aggressive attempt to lure him away from his role as national coach to take charge of the Saudi club. This move comes at a critical moment, placing maximum pressure on the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), which is preparing for one of its most delicate decisions in recent years.
According to information released on Monday, Antonio Conte, who left Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 season, is not only on the FIGC’s radar to succeed Gennaro Gattuso as the head of the Italian national team, but also on Al-Ittihad’s, which is promising astronomical figures to convince him to head to the Middle East. The coaching position became vacant following Gattuso’s departure, in a mass exodus that also included Gianluigi Buffon and Gabriele Gravina, which occurred in April. In addition to Conte, Roberto Mancini, a former European champion, is another strong candidate on the table to lead the national team towards the 2026 World Cup.
The context could not be more tense. With the recent election of Giovanni Malagò as president of the FIGC, the federation is undergoing a structural redefinition: in addition to selecting a new coach, the search for a new technical director is underway, with legendary names like Paolo Maldini being pointed out as possible candidates. This transitional phase makes the choice of the next helmsman of the squadra azzurra absolutely decisive, both for the prestige of the competition and for the recovery of national pride following abrupt exits and recent international failures.
The news of Saudi interest has raised a genuine red flag in Rome. “Corriere dello Sport” reveals that Al-Ittihad is prepared to offer a “stunning” salary to Conte, providing financial conditions far beyond what the FIGC could match. Nevertheless, the Italian newspaper emphasizes that Conte will prioritize the offer from the Italian national team, as long as he is assured the status of first choice. Otherwise, the coach may choose between enjoying a sabbatical or accepting the exotic – and highly lucrative – challenge of coaching in Saudi Arabia.
In a context of growing pressure, the Italian federation itself is looking to act quickly to avoid losing the most coveted coach at the moment. The debate is heated among fans and commentators: “Conte or Mancini to lead Italy in 2026?” is the question posed in a poll launched by the portal Football Italia, reflecting the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the future of the national team. The coming days promise to be decisive, with meetings scheduled between Malagò and the main candidates to clarify the situation.
For Conte, the challenge is twofold: on one hand, the opportunity to return to lead his country’s national team on one of the biggest stages in world football; on the other, a monumental contract in a rising league that is increasingly attracting stars from European football. This competition is symptomatic of the new economic power of Saudi football, which threatens to disrupt the traditional balance of the market for top coaches and players.
Conte’s decision will be crucial for Italy’s project towards the 2026 World Cup, but also for the prestige of Serie A and European football. If he accepts the challenge at Al-Ittihad, it will be a significant blow for the FIGC, which will lose its main bet at a key moment of reconstruction. Conversely, if he opts for the squadra azzurra, he could reignite the hopes of Italian fans and restore ambition to a team eager for achievements.
The outcome of this saga is expected to be known in the coming days, with pressure mounting on all parties involved. It remains to be seen whether the passion for the national emblem will prevail or if Saudi financial power will once again assert itself in the global chessboard of football. One thing is certain: Antonio Conte’s future will be decided at the highest level, and the repercussions will be felt far beyond Italian borders.
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