Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Pro League move could derail Italy’s hunt for Conte

Antonio Conte remains the leading candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy head coach, but a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad could upend those plans. Reports on Monday indicate Al-Ittihad are prepared to present Conte with a substantial salary package to take over from Sergio Conceicao in Jeddah.

The Italy national team’s search for a new head coach has intensified following Gattuso’s departure alongside Gianluigi Buffon and Gabriele Gravina in early April. Giovanni Malagò, the newly-elected FIGC President, is set to make key appointments in the coming weeks, starting with a new technical director—Paolo Maldini among the candidates—before naming the national team’s next coach.

Conte’s own situation is equally fluid. He left his role at SSC Napoli at the end of the 2025-26 season and now faces a pivotal decision. According to Corriere dello Sport, Conte would still prioritise an Italy offer if presented as the top candidate. Failure to receive such an offer, however, may push him toward a sabbatical or an overseas move.

The reported ‘dizzying’ salary from Al-Ittihad adds a financial incentive that complicates Italy’s recruitment drive. The Saudi Pro League side are seeking to replace Conceicao, who had a short tenure as Milan boss, and see Conte as a high-profile target to strengthen their project.

Malagò’s timeline is tight. The FIGC President must finalise the technical director role before moving to the head coach appointment, creating a sequential pressure point. Any delay risks prolonging Italy’s coaching uncertainty, which has already seen multiple high-profile departures.

Conte’s preference remains with the Italy job, but the Saudi offer introduces a tangible alternative. The Corriere dello Sport suggests his decision will hinge on whether he is formally approached by FIGC as the primary candidate.

For Al-Ittihad, securing Conte would represent a major statement of intent in the Saudi Pro League. The club’s willingness to meet his financial demands underscores their ambition to assemble a marquee coaching profile.

Italy’s football hierarchy now faces a delicate balancing act. A failure to secure Conte could force a rethink of their coaching strategy, while an acceptance of the Saudi offer would leave a void in the national team’s leadership plans.