5 managers Italy should consider to replace Ventura

Wednesday's firing of Gian Piero Ventura marks the beginning of Italy's long journey back to the World Cup.

There are plenty of things the Azzurri must fix over the next few years - from youth development to infrastructure - but the first order of business is identifying a new coach. After Ventura's calamitous tenure, the Italian football federation (FIGC) can't get this interview process wrong.

Related - The future is now: What Italy must do to recover from World Cup disaster

Here are five of the best candidates for the job.

Roberto Mancini

• Current job: Zenit St. Petersburg
• Probability: Medium

Mancini is an old-school manager who'd restore Italy's identity as a defence-first football nation. He helped Manchester City to Premier League success with an organised backline and a pragmatic approach, which didn't earn him many admirers in England but did win him significant trophies.

Luciano Spalletti

• Current job: Inter
• Probability: Medium

One of the most underrated coaches of his generation, Spalletti has the tactical nous to give Italy a balanced look. He's turned Inter into an efficient machine over the first few months of his tenure, imparting a winning mentality that's helped his players eke out narrow victories.

Last year at Roma, Spalletti demonstrated his strength as a manager by resisting calls to play Francesco Totti. Even though his own supporters jeered him, Spalletti picked his best players and led Roma to its best-ever Serie A season.

Marco Giampaolo

• Current job: Sampdoria
• Probability: Low

Giampaolo isn't recognised across Europe, but the work he's doing at Sampdoria is finally getting noticed.

The 50-year-old has led a nomadic career in management, staying no longer than two years at any Italian club. He got his break at Empoli as Maurizio Sarri's replacement and somehow found a way to turn a relegation candidate into an attack-minded outfit.

Giampaolo's philosophy closely resembles Antonio Conte's. He requires all players on the pitch to contribute, encouraging the forwards to track back and defend. He also trusts youth, as Sampdoria's midfield three consists of 23-year-old Dennis Praet, 22-year-old Karol Linetty, and 21-year-old Lucas Torreira.

He's a riskier choice at this juncture, though.

Massimiliano Allegri

• Current job: Juventus
• Probability: Medium

There's speculation that Allegri's time at Juventus is coming to an end. Should he decide to leave the Bianconeri, he'd instantly become one of the favourites for the Italy job.

Allegri's reputation took a massive hit in 2013 following his dismissal as AC Milan manager, but he's slowly rehabilitated his image. By guiding Juventus to a pair of Champions League finals in three years, the 50-year-old proved to his critics that he has both the tactical flexibility and the personality to handle a big job.

Some of his selections are frustrating, and he has a habit of fielding players out of position, but his tactics are usually spot-on. Last year's conversion of Mario Mandzukic into the left winger was a stroke of genius, as was his use of Dani Alves in an attacking role.

Allegri, however, is more likely to pursue another high-profile gig in club football before accepting an international job.

Carlo Ancelotti

• Current job: None
• Probability: High

The obvious and most probable choice, Ancelotti is available following a breakup with Bayern Munich, and he's one of the most admired Italian coaches in the game. The FIGC would be remiss not to contact him first.

At the height of an existential crisis, Italy could use a stabilising force, and Ancelotti is just that. He's dealt with demanding presidents and big egos, and although he's been fired from some of the biggest jobs, he's also maintained the respect of his peers.

Former players like Paolo Maldini raved about Ancelotti's sense of calm. "He holds in all his own worries and pressures, and so the team preserves its tranquility," Maldini wrote in Ancelotti's book.

Ancelotti isn't the kind of manager who inspires tactical trends or demands rigorous training, but he will restore confidence and foster strong relationships. That's what Italy needs.

Honourable mention: Eusebio Di Francesco (Roma)