Roberto Fabbricini, the Italian federation's (FIGC) newly appointed extraordinary commissioner, has stated that Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is "eager" to return to the national team.
But Conte is one of several big names in contention for the job alongside Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti and Claudio Ranieri.
In an interview with Sky Sport, the 72-year-old former general secretary of the Italian Olympic Committee explained: "First of all we need to think about the coach who'll be sitting on the bench for the next two friendlies at the end of March. It's clear that it won't be, or it's highly unlikely to be, the same person who will be in permanent charge of the national team in future.
"People have contracts with clubs all over the world, or personal engagements with clubs or national teams which we are not necessarily aware of. We haven't had any real contacts with anyone yet.
"You're already familiar with the likely names: [Roberto] Mancini is in Rome right now, I think, but we haven't met with him. [Antonio] Conte seems eager to return for another experience with the Azzurri, [Carlo] Ancelotti, from what I read on the papers, is opening and closing the door [to the national team], [Claudio] Ranieri also needs considering.
"All those who have ennobled Italian football, in one way or another, will be held in mind. No one is in pole position.
"We need to evaluate pros and cons for each of them. We'll be deciding what do next, together with [Alessandro] Costacurta. We need to think of the immediate future first, and then start a project which is a bit more long-term", he concluded, not discounting the possibility of having current under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio take on an interim role.
Former Milan defender Costacurta, who, together with legal expert Angelo Clarizia, is now one of Fabbricini's two vice-commissioners, confirmed that "the names are those currently circulating: Mancini, to name one, with whom I also played. We need to start with the interviews, there is no rush but at the same time we do need to make a move.
"Conte only increased my dilemma at the last Europeans [Championship]. He pulled off a sporting miracle. Italy has the best researchers, chefs and football coaches in the world: let's make the most of that."