Roberto Mancini Confirmed as New Italy Manager

Roberto Mancini: New Italy Manager

According to Sky, Roberto Mancini met with Italian FA cub-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta on Monday to discuss terms. While the current Zenit boss played coy on the appointment to this point, he has officially signed a contract with Italy.

The Italian FA has been without a first-team manager since the sacking of Gian Pietro Ventura. Gli Azzurri sacked Ventura after failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup. It is the first time since 1958 that Italy will not appear at the tournament.

Mancini will stay at Zenit until the final round of Russian fixtures on May 13. He takes over from Luigi Di Biagio, the U21 coach, who took charge on an interim basis after Italy crashed out of qualification to Sweden.

Roberto Mancini’s appointment comes after a plethora of other names found themselves linked with the job. Carlo Ancelotti, also touted as a possible replacement for Arsène Wenger, is thought to have turned down an offer for the post.

Paolo Maldini, former Italian defender, formally declared his interest in the post last month. Meanwhile, current Nantes boss Claudio Ranieri was thought to be in the running. Same too with former Italy manager Antonio Conte, who may lose his Chelsea appointment this summer.

Mancini’s two-year contract will run concurrently with European Championship qualifiers, as well as the tournament proper.

The Italian is most well-known for helping Manchester City to the 2011-2012 Premier League. While with the Sky Blues, Mancini also won the 2011 FA Cup. Among his other managerial honours are four Copa Italias, three Serie A titles, as well as a Turkish Cup.

This will be Roberto Mancini’s first international appointment.