Chelsea's Antonio Conte confirmed as target for Italy national team job by Italian Football Federation

Italian Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio has hinted that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is his first choice to become Italy's new head coach.

Conte took charge of the Azzurri for two years, concluding with an impressive showing at Euro 2016, before leaving for the vacancy at Stamford Bridge.

Italy are once again looking for a new coach after Giampiero Ventura was sacked following last week's loss to Sweden in the two-legged World Cup play-off.

"[Massimiliano] Allegri, [Roberto] Mancini, [Carlo] Ancelotti... I say getting warmer," Tavecchio told Gazzetta Dello Sport when discussing possible target.

"And Conte? Fire."

Conte's long-term future at Chelsea has been questioned as recently as the summer, despite leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown in May. He signed a new contract in July but did not extend the agreement.

However, as recently as Friday the Italian underlined his commitment to the job at Stamford Bridge in light of reported interest from Italy.

Italy will now miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958 and Tavecchio firmly laid the blame at Ventura.

He said: "It is all the fault of Ventura, he chose the staff, he has done all of it. We as a federation have never interfered."