Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to bring in Carlo Ancelotti, despite interest from the Italian national team, according to a report in Italy.

Friday’s La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that Alessandro Costacurta is on the hunt for Italy’s next permanent manager. Ancelotti is on his list of targets, along with Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri.

Reportedly, Ancelotti would prefer to stay in club management, and Arsenal and Tottenham are “in pole position” to sign him.

The story is consistent with quotes from the Italian manager last year. In December, he said: “I would like to continue to train a club team. The national team? It would be like changing jobs.

“Italian football has problems and I do not think I can solve them on my own.”

If Arsenal continue with the way they played for the first two-thirds of the season, they might need a new manager this summer. The Gunners look set to miss out on Champions League football again, and are nowhere near a title challenge.

If the board have had enough and sack Arsene Wenger, Ancelotti would probably be high on their list of replacements. The Italian has a massive amount of experience managing the top clubs and winning trophies.

Still, it’s a big ‘if’, as the board have shown no willingness to sack Wenger to date.

As for why Spurs would want the manager, that’s anyone’s guess, as all I hear is their supporters talking about is how amazing Mauricio Pochettino is.

Maybe they’re growing tired of celebrating Harry Kane’s goal records and want an actual trophy?