Mancini favourite for Italy job

By Football Italia staff

Roberto Mancini is the hot favourite to take over the Italy job and is expected to quit Zenit St Petersburg in May, claim reports.

The search continues for a permanent heir to Giampiero Ventura, who was sacked after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Gigi Di Biagio was given the role of interim CT for two friendlies against Argentina and England last month, but did not do enough to warrant the place full-time.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini is now the number one choice and he seems eager to take on the role, even flying in for a meeting in Rome on Sunday.

He is currently under contract with Zenit, but is expected to resign from the Russian club at the end of the season, which in Russia is May 13.

Carlo Ancelotti had been the first choice, but remains hesitant about the idea of taking on the Italy role and wants to continue his club career.

Antonio Conte was another candidate to return, having led the Azzurri from 2014 to 2016, but the Chelsea manager would be very expensive.

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