Italy part company with manager after failing to qualify for World Cup

Massimiliano Allegri: Touted by many to be the fans choice for the vacant role, Allegri has achieved considerable success in Italian football.The AC Milan boss only returned for his second spell at the San Siro in May, so could take some convincing to give that up for the national team job.After numerous roles in Italy's lower leagues, Allegri was appointed Milan boss in 2010, winning Serie A in his first full season.He then enjoyed two spells as Juventus boss, winning five more Serie A titles, before returning to Milan last year.Roberto Mancini: Could this be a chance for the return of the 61-year-old former manager?Mancini led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, beating England in the final, and oversaw a record-breaking 37-match unbeaten run.He resigned in August 2023, though, after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and subsequently had a short spell in charge of the Saudi Arabia national team.Now in charge of Qatari side Al-Sadd, Mancini led Manchester City to their first Premier League title and has also had success with Lazio and Inter Milan.Antonio Conte: The Italian is contracted to Napoli until 2027, but is another former national boss being linked with a return.The 56-year-old took Italy to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals before quitting because he wanted to return to club football.He has enjoyed immense success at club level, winning three straight Serie A titles with Juventus, a Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea and two more league crowns with Inter Milan and Napoli.Fabio Cannavaro: Perhaps a wild card but what better way to attempt to restore a feel-good factor to Italian football than appoint a national legend.He will lead Uzbekistan into their first World Cup in the summer but could he be tempted by a return after the summer?Captain of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team, the former defender does not have a scintillating managerial pedigree.Stefano Pioli: The former AC Milan and Fiorentina boss is currently out of work and would surely jump at a chance to manage the national team.The 60-year-old has also managed Lazio and Inter Milan, but only has one Serie A title to his name - with AC Milan in 2022.