Italy’s post-World Cup disaster overhaul is gathering pace, with Gabriele Gravina’s resignation confirmed and attention turning to who will manage the Azzurri in the immediate interim period before a permanent successor to Gennaro Gattuso is appointed.
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News – Free Trial – Click Here
With two friendlies scheduled before the FIGC presidential election on 22 June in Rome, the federation faces a practical problem, Italy need a coach in place before a new president is even elected, let alone before a new permanent CT can be identified and appointed.
According to Sportmediaset, via CalcioMercato.it, the most concrete option at this stage is current Under-21 head coach Silvio Baldini stepping up on a temporary basis.
Gattuso could theoretically remain in a caretaker capacity, but the Baldini solution appears the more likely outcome for now.
Italy to follow precedent with potential Baldini appointment
The scenario has a clear precedent.
In 2018, following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup under Giampiero Ventura, Under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio took interim charge for two friendlies against Argentina and England before Roberto Mancini was appointed as permanent manager.
Baldini would be filling an almost identical role eight years on.
The full shape of Italian football’s rebuild will become clearer over the coming weeks, with the presidential election on 22 June set to be the pivotal moment around which all other decisions, including the permanent managerial appointment, will ultimately revolve.
