Arsenal target Carlo Ancelotti offered Italy national team job
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Carlo Ancelotti has been offered the job at Italy boss - and that could have big implications for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer but there could be a stand-off until he lands another job and he now appears to have missed out on taking over at Paris Saint Germain and Italy.
Ancelotti was not considered a front runner for Arsenal this summer but it does at least rule another big name out of taking over from Arsene Wenger.
Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti, 58, looks set to take the Italy job if he can agree personal terms as he looks set to be offered £5m-a-year to transform his national side after they missed out on the World Cup.
Ancelotti held talks with Italy FA commissioner Roberto Fabbricini and sub-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta on Monday night and they have now made him first choice ahead of Conte and Zenit St Petersburg boss Roberto Mancini.
Conte had been in the frame and has missed out on PSG who are set to appoint former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea are now looking at Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri with Juventus boss Max Allegri an alternative.
(Image: Bongarts)
(Image: Bongarts)
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It is believed that none of the Italians are at the front of Arsenal’s shortlist and the club must decide whether to go for a younger manager to fit into the existing structure or to go with a big name like former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.
Mirror Sport understands that Atletico Madrid Diego Simeone was sounded out by intermediaries as to whether he would be interested and has made it clear he is staying put. It is unlikely Arsenal would have appointed him had he been put into the club.
Arsenal’s former Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehi has a connection with Enrique while Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim is another higher profile option. Both play the brand of football Arsenal are looking for.
However, the younger option includes former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta - now on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City - and Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann, although he has fallen off Bayern Munich’s wish list this season.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has distanced himself from the job and insisted he is committed to Manchester City and his name has yet to crop up in various discussions on managerial targets.