Carlo Ancelotti backed to take Italy job by former Juventus youth coach Vincenzo Chiarenza

Ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is the ideal candidate to become Gian Piero Ventura's successor as Italy's national team manager, according to former Juventus coach Vincenzo Chiarenza.

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the next summer's World Cup in Russia following their 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sweden in the play-off. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) showed the exit door to Ventura after the national team' disappointment and are in search for his successor.

Ancelotti, who was sacked at Bayern Munich earlier this season, has emerged as one of the candidates to replace Ventura as the manager of the four-time World Cup winners. Chiarenza believes Ancelotti's track record makes him the suitable candidate for national team job.

"I think that if FIGC can find a coach like Carlo Ancelotti, it would be great. He is the best candidate currently available in the market," Chiarenza told IBTimes UK.

"Ancelotti is a winner, both as a player and a coach. He has got international experience. I think we could not ask for more."

Chiarenza is credited with masterminding Juventus youth squad's most successful period from 2003 to 2008. The former youth team coach won a Scudetto, two Viareggio tournaments, the Coppa Italia Primavera, and two Supercoppe Italiana.

He is also credited with the development of the players like Paolo De Ceglie, Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco in the past. He is well aware that the right guidance is required for a player from a young age and has blamed FIGC's failure to focus on youth development over the years as the reason for Italy's disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup.

"I am disappointed, as Italian and as professional. In my opinion, the biggest fault is in the wrong work done in Italy's youth setup, which has resulted in not having a competitive team at the senior level. The same also holds good for the youth teams of the Serie A and Serie B clubs," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has also emerged as one of the potential candidates to become the next Italy manager He joined the Blues in the summer of 2016 after the Euro 2016 with the Azzurri.

Conte's future at Stamford Bridge continues to be in doubt, claims the Sun. The same report also suggests Ancelotti has been identified as the first choice candidate to replace his compatriot if the former Juventus man decides to leave the Premier League winners.

Ancelotti has a wealth of experience of managing at top European clubs. He has managed the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern in the past. Ancelotti has also won the Champions League thrice as a manager, twice with Milan and once with the Spanish capital club.