The England FA are stepping up their interest in bringing Roberto Mancini as the replacement for recently sacked Sam Allardyce.
Big Sam was relieved of his duties as the England manager after the former Sunderland manager was caught on camera advising undercover reporters the ways in which they can circumvent official player transfer regulations and profit from it.
Allardyce’s tenure lasted only 67 days and The Three Lions are currently managed by the interim manager Gareth Southgate. England will take on Malta and Slovenia in the upcoming round of World Cup 2018 qualifying matches. However, The English FA are keen to name Allardyce’s long-term successor in the coming weeks.
Also Read: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger open to England role in the future
According to reports from Football Italia, former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini tops England’s wishlist after the Italian walked away from Inter Milan just two weeks before the start of new season.
Frank De Boer has taken over at San Siro since Mancini’s exit, who now seeks a challenge, most likely away from Italy.
Mancini has prior knowledge of English football during his time in charge with Manchester City. It was Mancini, who led the Citizens to their first ever Premier League trophy after Sergio Aguero’s 94th minute winning goal vs QPR back in 2012.
Mancini also won an FA Cup with Manchester City before his time at The Etihad was cut short back in 2013.
Who is in line to take the England job?
Arsene Wenger is widely tipped to be a possible candidate for the managerial’s role and the Arsenal manager hasn’t quashed rumours of him being interested in the role. Wenger’s name has being doing the rounds and several ex-players and pundits have approved of him to become the next England manager.
Also Read: Allardyce sacking not our issue, says Rooney
Another name that has been linked with the job is England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate. The 46-year-old has been known to bring quality young players through to the junior international level in his role as England U-21 manager.
He has often weighed in about how England should operate if they are to challenge the top teams at major tournaments.
Prior to announcing his first squad for the upcoming qualifying matches, Southgate stressed on the need of England to show character if they want to compete with the world’s best.
Ever since Fabio Capello’s appointment, the English FA have been hesitant in hiring a foreign manager to take charge of the English national side, however, with Mancini rumoured to take charge of England we may finally see the FA take the bold call and look to bring their depleted side back on track.
