Mancini Set For Italy Job

Roberto Mancini is set to become the new Italy coach after he agreed on the terms with the country’s Football Association.

The role has been vacant since the sacking of Giampiero Ventura following their embarrassing failure to qualify for this summer’s World Cup.

Under-21 coach, Luigi Di Biagio oversaw Italy’s friendly matches against Argentina and England in March.

Former Manchester City manager Mancini, 53, who is currently in charge of the Russian side, Zenit St Petersburg, agreed to take over after Carlo Ancelotti rejected the opportunity.

Mancini held a two-hour meeting with Italian FA sub-commissioner, Alessandro Costacurta at his home in Rome on Monday as the terms of his appointment were thrashed out.

Zenit are not happy that Mancini is moving on having only taken the job last June, though they are only fifth in the Russian Super League standings with two matches remaining.

Mancini has managed Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan (twice), Manchester City and Galatasaray.

With Inter, he won three Serie A titles and he guided City to their first Premier League triumph back in 2012.

He could well take charge of Italy for their friendly matches against Saudi Arabia in May and France and Holland in June as they aim to rebuild their tattered international reputation.