CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte is Italy’s top choice as national coach, Italian federation vice commissioner Alessandro Costacurta said today.

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

Conte, whose future at Chelsea remains uncertain, already coached Italy to the quarter-finals of the 2016 European Championship before joining the London club.

Other coaches being considered by Costacurta include Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti and Claudio Ranieri.

Conte “has already shown he knows how to be national team coach while the others haven’t yet,” said Costacurta, the former AC Milan and Italy defender who is in charge of selecting the coach under the federation’s emergency administration.

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

Gian Piero Ventura was fired in November after failing to qualify four-time champion Italy for the World Cup. Luigi Di Biagio was promoted from the under-21 squad as an interim replacement.

Italy plays friendlies against Argentina and England next month and doesn’t have an official match until the Nations League starts in September.

Conte coached Italy from 2014-16 but announced his move to Chelsea before Euro 2016.

Conte has one more season remaining on his three-year contract with Chelsea, but he has indicated he is not entirely happy in London and misses Italy.

Upon leading Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Conte signed fresh terms with the club but was given only a pay rise, not an extension.

Chelsea are currently fifth in the league, risking missing out on the Champions League places. Conte will also be tested in the forthcoming return leg against Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16. The first leg ended 1-1.