5 reasons why Antonio Conte may be appointed Italy manager

#3 Lack of other options

Valverde is one of the managers blocking Conte's route to another top outfit

While the Italian is obviously a world-class coach, one of the finest of his generation, the Italy job may be the best on offer to him from next season. Many of the truly elite European clubs have settled managers currently: Ernesto Valverde has surprised many with his comfort in the Barcelona manager's role, Massimiliano Allegri has perhaps taken Juventus to a higher level than even Conte managed, and Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will surely continue their battle in charge of Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.

Perhaps the two most obvious destinations for Conte would be PSG and Real Madrid but they might prove unsuitable for differing reasons. Conte is a manager who relishes the weekly contests of club football but this is something that won't be presented to him in French football, where the only challenge comes from the Champions League competition.

After a terrible La Liga campaign, Zinedine Zidane has Madrid looking very dangerous in this season's Champions League, and if he is to do well (even win it for the third season in a row), the Frenchman will almost certainly be granted another season at the helm.

Conte is a man who likes to be careful with his choices and he won't rush into the first club job offered to him; trying to turn around his beloved country in the meantime might suit him like it did in 2014 after departing Juventus.