Ancelotti Reveals Italy Snub In Favour Of Club Football

Carlo Ancelotti says he has been approached by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over replacing Gian Piero Ventura as national team coach, but he would rather take over a club.

Italian football descended in to chaos last month after the national team missed the World Cup for the first time since 1958, sensationally upstaged by Sweden in a play-off.

Ventura paid the price for failure, while Carlo Tavecchio resigned as the president of the FIGC amid stinging criticism of the national team set-up.

The fallout from Italy’s unsuccessful campaign has centred on foreigners, with past and present players and coaches blaming the four-time world champions’ failed Russia 2018 bid on the number of overseas players competing in Serie A.

Ancelotti is favourite to fill the vacancy but the former Bayern Munich boss is not interested in working at international level. He did recommend one change he believes Italian football would benefit from, though, backing the idea of cutting Serie A to an 18-team competition, just like it was in 2003-04.

“The FIGC contacted me, I spoke to them. I told them I’m honoured that so many people want me to coach the national team,” the 58-year-old told La Domenica Sportiva.

“However, that would be like a whole other job. Working for the national team is different to being a club coach, as I still enjoy training and working every day.

“Italian football also has some problems that need to be resolved. I realise there is a conflict of interests between clubs and federations, as there is in Germany, France and England, but right now Italian football needs the Federation to impose its power over the clubs and impose new rules to improve the situation.

“For example, I think Serie A would benefit greatly by being reduced from 20 teams to 18 and I know there are clubs who are ready to vote for that.”