Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is reportedly in a two-horse race with Antonio Conte to become the next Italy head coach.
The 49-year-old, who left Turkish giants Galatasaray by mutual consent last month, has made no secret of the fact that he has set his sights on succeeding Cesare Prandelli, who stepped down following an ill-fated World Cup campaign.
After opening the group stage with an encouraging 2-1 victory over England, they fell to successive 1-0 defeats at the hands of Costa Rica and Uruguay respectively, culminating in a premature exit from the tournament in Brazil.
Mancini was soon installed as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to get the nod as soon as Prandelli announced his decision to quit. Ironically, Prandelli has now filled the hotseat at Galatasaray.
However, according to Tutto Mercato Web the ex-Blues chief now faces stiff competition from Conte, who shocked Serie A champions Juventus by quitting just one day after the start of pre-season training.
He led the Turin giants to three successive Scudetto titles and is five years younger than his main rival for the post.
Earlier this month Mancini, who was sacked in May 2013 despite leading the club to Premier League and FA Cup glory during his three-and-a-half year tenure, told Corriere dello Sport that it would be “an honour” to manage his country.
The decision to part company with Galatasaray came after only one full season in charge. He failed to lead them to domestic title glory last term, when they finished nine points behind champions Fenerbahce.
Mancini did lift the Turkish Cup, but both parties decided a change was in the best interests of the club.