Arsenal hopes alive after Ancelotti to Italy reports prove premature

The sub-commissioner of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Alessandro Costacurta has denied the Azzurri have held talks with Carlo Ancelotti over taking over the national team.

The two met in a Rome hotel last night, but the meeting was one of chance and Costacurta claims they did not talk about the former Chelsea boss taking over the Italian national team job.

Sky Sport Italia reported that Ancelotti had met with the FIGC for talks over taking over and was in fact offered he role in a 90-minute meeting.

That has since been rubbished by Costacurta, although he admitted he will be looking to approach Ancelotti at a later date.

“Carlo was in Rome for personal reasons,” he told Sky Sports in Italy. “I always stay in that hotel and we found each other there. We did not talk about the job, we only joked about the opportunity. You have to talk about many things, the program and finances, but we could not talk about them.

“Since we are loyal to the rules, we talked about something else. It is true, there is a vision that could see Carlo, like others, on the bench of the national team, but the rules are important and we must follow them. The deadline is May 20 and you know I wouldn’t go against the rules. Unfortunately we spoke about something else.”

Asked if there would be an official meeting with Ancelotti, he added: “Yes, but I still do not know when. We need people who are available, we cannot get close to contracted coaches. This is the problem.”

The 58-year-old is believed to be on Arsenal’s shopping list to replace Arsene Wenger, who recently announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.