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Urbano Cairo: "In the League there was a propensity for Conte as coach.

Urbano Cairo defends Antonio Conte as Italy coach and reveals that in the League there was a preference for the coach. The decision, however, followed a different path, says the president of Torino.

11 August 2026
Urbano Cairo: "In the League there was a propensity for Conte as coach.

Urbano Cairo: "In the League there was a propensity for Conte as coach.

According to Tuttomercatoweb.

Context

Antonio Conte, who led the Italian national team between 2014 and 2016, is widely recognized for his ability to build competitive teams. His playing style and tactical approach were key to the Azzurri's success during Euro 2016. His links to Torino, where Cairo is president, adds a layer of complexity to the discussion about his future in Italian football.

Why this matters

The choice of coach for the Italian national team is a crucial issue, especially after the team's performance in recent competitions. Urbano Cairo, president of Torino, defends Antonio Conte as a viable option, highlighting his ability to revitalize the team. His previous experience with the Azzurri, where he achieved notable results, makes him a relevant candidate for the future of Italian football.

Main conclusions

  • Urbano Cairo: "In the League there was a propensity for Conte as coach.
  • Urbano Cairo defends Antonio Conte as Italy coach and reveals that in the League there was a preference for the coach.
  • Cairo: "In Lega c'era una propension per Conte ct. It was motivational, I could see it as a gift."

Urbano Cairo, president of Torino, once again spoke about the Italian team and the ideal profile for the Nazionale's technical command. On the sidelines of the “L’estate del Principe” event in Viareggio, the manager was clear in assuming that he would have chosen Antonio Conte for the role of coach. "I would have chosen him because it is necessary to give a strong boost to the activity, in order to get off to a good start. I have great esteem for Conte, he had already done a good job in a team that was nothing special, especially in attack. He was motivated, he could be the right man", said the Granata leader.

Cairo also added that, within the League, there was a favorable inclination towards the former Azzurri coach. "It's true, in the League there was a propensity for Conte as ct. Malagò chose differently," he said, alluding to the final decision that ended up going another way. Without going into additional details about Torino's future, the president focused mainly on the discussion around the Nazionale and the profile required to put the team back on the intended path.

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Cairo's words reopen a recurring debate in Italy about the national team's technical leadership. Antonio Conte, remember, already guided the Azzurri between 2014 and 2016, a period in which he left a strong competitive mark, with emphasis on the Euro 2016 campaign. Known for his demand, intensity of work and ability to create robust tactical structures, the coach has a rich CV in Italian football, with titles won and successful spells at top clubs.

The Torino president's reference to the “need for a strong impulse” stems from the analysis that the team needs an immediate spark to consolidate ideas, increase competitive aggressiveness and enhance the available players. For Cairo, Conte had the conditions to make this change from day one, not only because of his international experience but also because of his ability to extract results from groups that, in principle, do not start as favorites.

The mention of the existing propensity in the League in favor of Conte confirms that his name maintained weight among Italian football managers. At the same time, the note that Giovanni Malagò “chose differently” shows that the final decision did not follow this feeling. Cairo's emphasis is thus: from his perspective, the choice of Conte would have been the right bet to return immediate impact to the Nazionale, at a time when the direction and ambition of the team continue to be a central theme of Transalpine football.

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What happens next

With Malagò's decision to follow another path, the discussion about the future of the Italian team continues. The pressure to find a coach who can bring positive results increases, and Conte's name could be considered again, especially if the Azzurri do not perform satisfactorily in the next competitions. Torino, in turn, must focus on maintaining their stability as the selection debate intensifies.

Frequently asked questions

What did Urbano Cairo say about Antonio Conte?

Urbano Cairo stated that he would have chosen Antonio Conte as coach of the Italian national team, highlighting his motivation and the need for a strong boost in the team.

Who confirmed their preference for Antonio Conte in the League?

Urbano Cairo mentioned that there was a favorable propensity for the former Azzurri coach within the League, although Malagò chose differently.

Why did Urbano Cairo talk about Antonio Conte now?

Cairo addressed the topic during the 'L’estate del Principe' event, reopening the debate on the technical leadership of the Italian team.

What changes does Cairo suggest for the Italian team?

Cairo suggests that it is necessary to give a strong boost to the national team's activity, which implies a change in the technical approach.

What is Antonio Conte's history with the Italian national team?

Antonio Conte was coach of the Azzurri between 2014 and 2016, a period in which he had a strong competitive campaign, especially at Euro 2016.

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