Italy's five-man shortlist to replace Ventura

Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri are among the favoured candidates to replace Gian Piero Ventura as Italy coach, according to Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio.

Ventura presided over Italy's 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sweden in the World Cup qualifying play-off, ensuring the Azzurri would miss the tournament for the first time since 1958.

Tavecchio is adamant that Italy will have an elite coach succeed Ventura and, while he confirmed reported interest in Ancelotti, the former Bayern Munich coach is not the only one who has been identified.

Speaking to Le Iene, Tavecchio said: "Allegri and [Roberto] Mancini? You're getting warmer. Conte? Fire.

"We're looking for the best. They already have commitments until June from a contractual point of view. Then when we get to June, who will be free? The ones are Ancelotti, Conte, Allegri, [Claudio] Ranieri and Mancini. This is the truth of those available."

Tavecchio reflected on Ventura's time in charge and was baffled by a number of things from the experienced coach's tenure.

"The debacle is all technical," Tavecchio said. "They had the wrong training.

"How can you not play [Lorenzo] Insigne? I told the staff, not him. I can't intervene [with the coach], there are rules.

"I have to acknowledge it; I chose the coach. It's been four days that I haven't slept. I wake up continuously.

"We have always played crosses against tall defenders, some almost two metres tall. We had to play around them with the little players, who were on the bench."