The Italian Football team’s suffered a shock exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. So, furious Azzurri fans called for Gian Piero Ventura’s ousting and replace him with Antonio Conte. Italy lost 1-0 on aggregate to Sweden to miss out on the finals for the first time since 1958. Naturally, the loss didn’t go down well with the ever passionate Italian fans.

Social media was flooded with insults directed towards Ventura. One incensed fan wrote: “Bring back Conte and get rid of this pile of s***.” A fellow user said: “I am utterly ashamed of the coaching by Ventura. He had the talent and did not know how to use it. Bring back Conte!”

Even the likes of National icon Alessandro Del Piero revealed he hopes Conte – who spent two years in charge of Italy from 2014 to 2016 – returns to the hotseat. He said: “He [Conte] did great with Juve and a great job with the national team. We would love to have him back in Italy, of course, because he is a great coach. He would improve any team and this is what he did with Chelsea last season and what he did with Juve as well.”

Former England player and legend Gary Lineker also voiced his shock at Italy failing to qualify. He wrote: “Mamma Mia! Italy, 6 times World Cup finalists, 4 times World Cup winners, ever-present in the World Cup finals since 1958, have failed to qualify for #Russia2018. It won’t be quite the same without them. Arrivederci.”

Conte isn’t the only one being eyed for the role of Italy national coach. Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti are also being considered for the role. Mancini and Ancelotti are currently out of management. But Conte is the favourite to lead the Italian side, to the delight of the Azzurri fans.