Italy are searching for a new head coach after missing a third straight World Cup, and Claudio Ranieri has confirmed willingness to answer any approach. The 74-year-old stated a national team offer would be impossible to refuse, even late in a long managerial career.

Gennaro Gattuso lost the Italy job after defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs, which confirmed another World Cup absence for the four-time champions. Several high-profile coaches are linked with the vacancy, yet Ranieri has now publicly placed a return to the dugout on the table.

Names such as Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, Stefano Pioli and Pep Guardiola are being mentioned as potential Italy coach candidates. However, Ranieri underlined that international duty carries unique weight, saying: “When you are called by your country, you say yes.” The comment signals clear interest if the federation makes contact.

Italy intend to appoint a coach before the Nations League begins against Belgium in September, with Turkiye and France also in the group. The Italian Football Federation therefore faces a tight schedule to decide whether to pursue a leading club coach, a foreign candidate, or an experienced figure like Ranieri.

Ranieri has managed 23 clubs and national sides across five decades, including Chelsea, Juventus, Inter, Atletico Madrid and Roma. The most famous achievement remains Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League title triumph. That success strengthened Ranieri’s reputation as a coach able to organise teams and deliver beyond expectations.

Ranieri explained that earlier chances to take the Italy coach position had been refused for professional reasons rather than lack of desire. “I said no to Italy before because I already had a job at Roma and could not do two jobs,” Ranieri told Sky Sports, as quoted by Football Italia, making clear circumstances have now changed.

Ranieri’s latest association with Roma ended in April after a turbulent spell. Ranieri first returned as interim coach, then moved into an advisory role. Tensions rose when Ranieri publicly stated Gian Piero Gasperini had not been Roma’s first-choice coach, and the disagreement preceded Ranieri’s departure from the Giallorossi.

That OptaPaolo data underlines the scale of Italy’s current problems, with the team absent from three straight World Cups, after also missing the tournaments in 2018 and 2022. The statistic increases pressure on officials to select an Italy coach able to rebuild quickly and stabilise performances.

Ranieri stressed availability and openness to any Italy coach role, not just the main position. “At this point in time, I am free, so if anyone was to call, why not? Never say never.” When asked about alternative duties within the Azzurri structure, Ranieri replied: “I don’t know, when you are called by your country, you say yes, and that’s that.”

The Italian federation must now evaluate whether Ranieri’s vast experience, familiarity with Serie A clubs and success with Leicester City match the national team’s needs. Whatever decision follows, Ranieri’s comments confirm that, even at 74, Italy could still call on a coach eager to serve.