Italian Football Association (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio believes Antonio Conte will extend his contract as Azzurri head coach beyond Euro 2016.
Conte signed a two-year deal when he replaced Cesare Prandelli in the wake of Italy's early elimination from the 2014 World Cup.
The Lecce-born coach had just resigned as coach of Juventus after guiding them to three straight Serie A titles, though recent reports in the Italian media suggest that the 46-year-old craves a return to club coaching.
But Tavecchio is not so convinced that Conte misses the day-to-day running of a club, and says the coach will have to "think long and hard" about leaving his current role with the national team "because he likes this job."
Tavecchio said in Milan, according to ANSA: "We're going to discuss the issue in the spring, certainly not just before the European Championship, but I'm confident he will renew his contract. Conte is starting to realise that his job is not just as head coach, but as the coordinator of all of the national team selections, and this is no small matter."
Conte has avoided questions about his future -- suggesting his role depends on how Italy perform at Euro 2016 -- and dismissed the necessity of committing to a new contract by reflecting on how things went for his predecessor Cesare Prandelli, who resigned just months after committing to Italy in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup.
Tavecchio says no pressure will be put on Conte, but that a decision will be taken mutually early next year.
"We will decide with great class and style," said the 72-year-old. "We have an almost daily relationship and regardless of all of the rumours coming from right, left and centre, I can promise that we share an extreme level of faith. Our relationship is cordial and Conte likes this job."
Tavecchio is also confident that Italy can go a long way in France next summer, setting the target of a place in the semifinals. "Our objective will be to do well, and that means go a long way," he said. "Reaching the semifinals would be good; playing the final would be excellent.
"This national team often springs surprises because it is a united squad and, with the sacrifices Conte gives them, I believe the results could arrive."