Ancelotti demands total control to take over wounded Italy
The former Real Madrid and Milan coach is keen on the idea of leading country but would require full powers of decision before accepting the post.
Carlo Ancelotti is open to the idea of rebuilding a shattered Italy national team after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years but will require complete control over all team affairs if he is to accept the post.
The main Italian sports dailies all concur that Ancelotti’s stellar career has left the former Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach with few objectives to tempt him back into club management and that the timing is perfect for the 58-year-old to restructure the national side.
Tavecchio keen to enlist Ancelotti
Italian Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio has made an initial approach to Ancelotti and next Monday will lay out a complete overhaul of the national system, from the Italy youth sides to Series D to A. Tavecchio declined to step down in the aftermath of the loss to Sweden and dispensed with Gian Piero Ventura, but faces a task to convince the board to hand him another four-year mandate leading up to Qatar 2022.
Landing a right-hand man of Ancelotti’s standing would strengthen his position but he would be expected to relinquish much of his power to the veteran tactician.
Meanwhile, Giorgio Chiellini has hinted he may follow Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Daniele De Rossi into international retirement. “I will think about it. We need reforms to get back to where we were. Our football is standing still.”