Two-time Champions League winner linked with Italy role after Ranieri rejection

Reports in Italy have indicated that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has initiated contact with former Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso. 

The former Italy and AC Milan midfielder is widely considered the frontrunner to take over as head coach of the Italy national team, following Luciano Spalletti's departure.

The FIGC wanted to appoint Claudio Ranieri as Spalletti's successor. However, the 73-year-old subsequently informed the federation of his decision to continue in his current advisory position with Roma.

According to Football Italia, Gattuso engaged in five separate phone conversations with Italy Delegation Chief Gianluigi Buffon, a former teammate from the 2006 World Cup-winning squad.

Those conversations are believed to have been positive, considering reports in Italy suggest that Wednesday (today) could be even more decisive in the negotiations. 

Italy sit third in Group I, nine points behind Norway, albeit having played two fewer games than the table-topping nation. 

The Azzurri next play Estonia on September 5 before travelling to Israel three days later.