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Italian federation vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta has revealed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is the preferred candidate to take over as Italy coach.

“I haven’t chosen yet but I think Conte is the one who could do the best. I’ll definitely talk with him in a couple of months,” Costacurta told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He’s already shown he knows how to be national team coach while the others haven’t yet.

“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be happy with Mancini or with Ancelotti, although (Ancelotti) seems to have removed himself from consideration.”