Mancini set for Italy

Multiple reports state that Zenit St Petersburg Coach Roberto Mancini has agreed a deal to become the new Italy CT.

The role has been vacant since Giampiero Ventura was sacked, with Under-21 boss Luigi Di Biagio taking the team for the friendlies with Argentina and England.

It was reported over the weekend that Carlo Ancelotti had rejected the chance to lead the Azzurri, and this morning both Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Mancio will take the job.

Multiple reports state that Zenit St Petersburg Coach Roberto Mancini has agreed a deal to become the new Italy CT.

The role has been vacant since Giampiero Ventura was sacked, with Under-21 boss Luigi Di Biagio taking the team for the friendlies with Argentina and England.

It was reported over the weekend that Carlo Ancelotti had rejected the chance to lead the Azzurri, and this morning both Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Mancio will take the job.

FIGC sub-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta and Italy team manager Lele Oriali are said to have met Mancini for more than two hours in his Rome home yesterday.

The Coach is very keen to take the job, with the Federation prepared to offer him a two-year contract worth €4m per season.

The only stumbling block is Mancini’s contract with Zenit, whose President is not happy that the Italian wants to end the relationship.

However, the former Inter Coach is confident he can come to a deal with the Russians.

Mancini will now return to Russia for Zenit’s final two league matches against Lokomotiv Moscow and Ska-Khabarovsk, but he’s expected to return to Italy in-between for a further meeting.

At that point the terms of his Italy deal should be officially confirmed, with FIGC commissioner Roberto Fabbricini present to sign the contract.

After that the Federation will be able to officially announce the new CT, having promised to do so before May 20.