Roberto Mancini emerges as surprise contender for Manchester United job

Mancini won the 2011/2012 Premier League title with Man City

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as a surprised candidate to take over as manager at Manchester United next summer, according to the Telegraph. The current Italy boss - who won three successive Serie A titles with Inter Milan - is believed to be one of a number of names that the United hierarchy are considering for the permanent role at Old Trafford, but it depends on his situation with the Italian national team. Italy must win their World Cup play-off 'pathway' in March in order to secure a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they finished second in their qualifying group. Gli Azzurri will take-on North Macedonia in the semi-finals on March 24 before a potentially mouth-watering tie against either Portugal or Turkey in the final five days later. It is thought that the 57-year-old is firmly committed to his role with Italy, where he is contracted until 2026, but the chance to return to the Premier League is believed to hold an 'appeal' to the Italian. https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1465700108926816267 His history as City boss - whom he won the Premier League title with in 2012 - could prove to be a complicating factor, however, it has not seen him ruled out at this stage. The Red Devils confirmed the appointed of the former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season earlier this week, with the German replacing the recently departed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following his stint in the hot-seat, the 63-year-old will continue at United in a technical consultancy position and is expected to be involved in the search for a permanent manager. A number of other names have been discussed as Solskjaer's permanent successor, with current Paris-Saint Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax chief Erik ten Hag and Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers all in the frame for the job. Related links:

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