Roberto Mancini "not thinking about" Italy managerial job

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 17 November 2017

Former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini rules himself out of the running to replace Gian Piero Ventura as Italy manager.

Roberto Mancini has insisted that he is "happy" at Zenit St Petersburg and has no plans to become the new manager of the Italy national side.

The Azzurri are seeking a new boss after parting company with Gian Piero Ventura earlier this week, less than 48 hours on from their 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sweden that cost them a place at the 2018 World Cup.

Former Manchester City boss Mancini has been linked with the position, while Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti are also understood to be in the running.

Speaking to Russian TV channel Match TV, however, Mancini distanced himself from the job as he wants to remain in charge of Zenit.

"I am not surprised my name has been mentioned on the list, seeing as they also discussed colleagues with experience who won in various different countries," he said.

"But I am happy at Zenit and in St Petersburg, so I am not thinking about the Nazionale. My objective is to win the Russian league title."

Mancini won the Premier League and FA Cup during his three-and-a-half years at Man City, before being sacked and taking on roles at Galatasaray, Inter Milan and Zenit.