The reports that Manchester United are looking towards current Italy CT Roberto Mancini for their new coach have now spread to the Peninsula.
It initially made an appearance in The Telegraph newspaper, suggesting Mancio was the first pick for new caretaker manager and future technical director at the club, Ralf Rangnick.
Now Italian newspaper Libero claims that Mancini could well leave the Italy bench if he fails to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
That would only be ascertained in March, when the Azzurri go into the play-offs.
They must face Macedonia, then either Portugal or Turkey before booking a place at the tournament in November and December 2022.
It would be a sudden turn of events after Mancini took over a side that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, took them to an all-time world record unbeaten run and lifted the UEFA EURO 2020 trophy this summer.
Mancini is under contract with the Italy squad until June 2026, so any termination would have to be negotiated with the Federation.
It’d also be a remarkable return to the Premier League for Mancini, who won the title with United’s arch-rivals Manchester City.