Ranieri, 66, has been linked with the vacant Italy post after Gian Piero Ventura departed following the country’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

«Any Italian coach would love to be in charge of the Nazionale,» Ranieri, who guided Leicester City to a remarkable Premier League title in 2015-16, Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

«I have a contract with Nantes for two years and I have not received any messages, so I can’t say anything.

«But if I were to be contacted for the Italy job, I’d go to the Nantes president and ask to be released.»