Simonelli: Serie A clubs wanted Conte as Italy coach, but will 'support' Mancini
Italian football authorities have acknowledged that Serie A clubs expressed a preference for Antonio Conte to replace Roberto Mancini as Italy national team head coach. However, the clubs have committed to supporting Mancini in his continued role. The comments from Simonelli suggest underlying tension around the national team setup despite the public stance of unity. Conte, currently without a club after leaving Napoli, was reportedly the preferred candidate among domestic clubs, while Mancini's tenure remains under scrutiny following recent results.
Read the full story at football-italia.netItaly's national team setup is showing signs of friction, with the league's own clubs reportedly having pushed for a coaching change. The fact that Simonelli felt compelled to publicly affirm support for Mancini suggests the current arrangement is fragile, and the mention of Conte — a proven winner with deep experience in Italian football — keeps the succession debate alive. For Azzurri supporters, the message is reassuring on the surface, but the subtext points to a governing body managing dissent rather than projecting total confidence in the incumbent.
Context added by Socc360, not by football-italia.net.
Data source: football-italia.net (via Socc360). Last updated .
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