Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he turned down the change to manage Italy, as he wants to remain in club football.

Ancelotti left Bayern Munich early this season, sparking speculation about where he would go next. Although the Italian national team were one of the options mentioned, it was rumoured that Carlo would turn them down.

The 58-year-old has since confirmed as much, in an interview with Italian outlet RAI, reports the Metro. “I would like to continue to train a club team. The national team? It would be like changing jobs,” he said.

“Italian football has problems and I do not think I can solve them on my own. It’s a federation problem.

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Bayern Munich’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti and Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribery shake hands during the German first division Bundesliga football match of Werder Bremen vs FC Bayern Munich in Bremen , nothern Germany, on January 28, 2017. / AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT + 49 69 650050
(Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

“We need to develop children, set rules and carry out reforms. Great footballers are not born every day, unfortunately. We’re not at the top level in Europe anymore. It’s an unlucky cycle.

“Italian football has problems that the federation has to solve. The FIGC [Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio] contacted me and I told them the same things.”

Considering the rumours about Ancelotti turning down Italy were true, it lends a bit more validity to those claiming he might be interested in managing Arsenal.

However, it’s not clear that the job would be available, even at the end of the season, considering we have no idea how Arsene Wenger eventually plans to leave the Gunners.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal argues with referee Andre Marriner after during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich boss has never failed to win at least one trophy with a club since taking over Juventus in 1999.

With the recent backroom changes Arsenal have made, they should be in a good position to transition between managers with as little stress as possible.

There would still certainly be obstacles keeping things from going too smoothly, considering the length of time Wenger’s spent at Arsenal, as well as the high level of involvement he has in so many aspect of its running.

But if Ancelotti is interested in the Gunners, I’d argue that next summer is as good a time as ever.