The surprise name of former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has emerged as a contender to become the next permanent manager of Manchester United, claims a report.
Mancini, 57, was at the helm in the blue half of Manchester when City famously snatched the league title away from United in 2012. The Red Devils lost out to their near neighbours on goal difference as Mancini delivered City’s first top-flight title since 1968.
Since then, Mancini went on to manage in Turkey, Italy and Russia before landing the Italian national team position in 2018.
Mancini guided Italy to glory at Euro 2020, though according to the Telegraph, a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.
Manchester United recently installed Ralf Rangnick as their interim manager until the end of the campaign. At that point, the German is expected to move upstairs into a consultancy role.
That will leave the door ajar for an elite level coach, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the early favourite.
However, the Telegraph exclusively revealed Mancini is now a shock contender to take the reins.
Firstly, they acknowledge his former ties with City are a complication. Nonetheless, he will come under ‘careful consideration’ by Old Trafford chiefs pending his situation with Italy.
Italy must navigate the World Cup qualification play-offs in March to qualify for Qatar 2022. Beating North Macedonia in the semi-finals would appear straightforward, though Portugal could loom in the final round.
Failure to qualify would present United with an opening and a return to England is stated to ‘appeal’ to Mancini.
At present, he is noted to be fully committed to Italy and holds a ‘lucrative’ contract running until 2026.
Nevertheless, United will conduct their due diligence and if the opportunity arises, Mancini may wind up in the Old Trafford dugout next season.