Rome, 15 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti and former Tottenham coach Antonio coach are among the favourite candidates to take the job at the Italy national team following Roberto Mancini's surprise resignation, according to media reports.

The Italian football federation FIGC said on Sunday that European champion Mancini was resigning from his post after five years in charge. On his Instagram, the coach said it was a "personal decision," but media reports in Italy spoke of an offer from Saudi Arabia.

Spalletti left Napoli after leading the team to their first league title in 33 years and said he needed to take some time off. However, he said that "coaching a national team would be very appealing."

Conte, meanwhile, was Italy's coach between 2014 and 2016 and hasn't taken up a new job since leaving Tottenham at the end of March.

Mancini led Italy to the Euro 2020 title, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In 61 games, he won 39 and lost nine.

The FIGC added that "taking into account the important commitments at the Euro 2024 qualifiers," a new coach is to be announced "in the coming days."

Italy face North Macedonia and Ukraine in September at the Euro 2024 qualifiers.