Rome - Antonio Conte is to become new Italy coach on a two-year contract after the national federation FIGC and sponsors reached agreement on his salary, news reports said on Thursday.

Conte, 45, left Juventus four weeks ago after guiding them to three straight Serie A titles.

The FIGC was yet to confirm the reports from publications including Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, but Conte was seen as the top contender for the job until Euro 2016 in France.

He is to replace Cesare Prandelli, who resigned after Italy's group stage exit at the World Cup in Brazil two months ago, and earn €1.8 million per year.

Former Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni and ex-Manchester City, Inter Milan and Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini were reportedly other candidates new FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio talked to.

Italy play the Netherlands in a friendly on September 4 before taking on Norway in their first Euro 2016 qualifying match five days later in Oslo.