Former Premier League title-winning boss in line to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy manager

Roberto Mancini is one of three candidates drawn up to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy boss, talkSPORT understands.

The former midfielder is expected to step down from his role following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

AFP

Italy were beaten on penalties by Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday in their play-off final tie.

It means the four-time winners will be absent from a third consecutive World Cup finals.

In the wake of their failure to qualify for this summer’s tournament, Gattuso is set to leave his role as manager after ten months in charge.

The 48-year-old was appointed last summer following Luciano Spalletti’s departure.

Having been tasked with reaching the World Cup, he was unable to finish above Norway in their qualifying group.

Despite beating Northern Ireland at home last week, Italy were subsequently eliminated by Bosnia at the final hurdle.

Who could be the next Italy manager?

With Gattuso set to leave, Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Mancini are the candidates to replace him in the dugout.

Of those, Mancini, who won the Premier League at Manchester City in 2012, is seen as the easiest option to appoint for a second spell as national team boss.

The Al Sadd manager previously spent five years in charge between 2018 and 2023.

During that time, he guided Italy to glory at the delayed Euro 2020 finals against England.

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However, Mancini’s side subsequently failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing to North Macedonia in the play-offs.

Mancini was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal by Qatari side Al Sadd in November.

Conte has also previously managed the national team having taken over after their last World Cup appearance in 2014.

The Napoli boss left the role after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, though.

His current contract with the reigning Serie A champions expires at the end of next season.

Allegri also currently manages domestically having returned to AC Milan last summer on a two-year deal.

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Gattuso’s imminent exit follows Gianluigi Buffon’s resignation as the head of the national team delegation.

Following their failure to qualify for the World Cup, Italy are not scheduled to return to action until September.

They will face Belgium, Turkey and France in the Nations League during the first international break of next season.

However, they could still feature in friendly matches this summer prior to the World Cup.