Manchester United’s next manager: ‘Roberto Mancini is an option’ claims Italian football journalist

Roberto Mancini ‘is an option’ for Manchester United as they search for their next permanent manager, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The former Manchester City boss is currently in charge of Italy, who he led to Euro 2020 glory last summer, but could be tempted by a return to the Premier League if the Italians miss out on a spot at the World Cup later this year.

The Azzurri face North Macedonia in a World Cup semi-final play-off in March, with the winner facing either Portugal or Turkey in the final, where the victor will secure passage to the tournament in Qatar.

Should Italy fail to qualify then United could be tempted to speak to Mancini, claims Romano, although he admits the 57-year-old is behind Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino on the list of candidates.

Ralf Rangnick is currently in charge at Old Trafford on an interim basis but is set to step aside at the end of the season and take up a consultancy role, with United therefore on the lookout for a new permanent manager.

“They are not going to decide now. What I am told is there will be no decision in January, no decision in February, it is going to take time; March or April they will start this process,” Romano told Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast, when asked about the club’s hunt for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term replacement.

“I am sure that Erik ten Hag will be on the list. Mauricio Pochettino will be on the list, but it will depend on how it goes with Paris Saint-Germain this season.

“Let’s see what happens with Roberto Mancini,” he added. “Mancini will be busy with Italy to see what happens with the World Cup with qualifying in March, but that could be an option.

“He could be an option, but at the moment he has not even had contact with United because he only wants to focus on Italy. If Italy are at the World Cup, Mancini will 100% be working with Italy. So it depends on the World Cup situation.

“He is tempted by the Premier League, he wants to come back to the Premier League one day. I will add his name to the list - top two positions for sure are Pochettino and Ten Hag. They’re the two big names.”