Mancini named new Italy boss

Having left his post at Zenit, Roberto Mancini has agreed a deal to take over the Italy national team.

Roberto Mancini has been named the new head coach of Italy, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed.

The former Zenit boss, who has agreed to a contract of undisclosed length, will be officially presented at a news conference in Florence on Tuesday.
 
The news brings to an end Italy's exhaustive search for a permanent replacement for Gian Piero Ventura, who left his role after the World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden in November.

Luigi Di Biagio had been in interim charge of the senior side during the hunt for a long-term successor, with Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte among the other leading candidates.

Mancini has spent the last year with Zenit after concluding his second spell at Inter in 2016, but he left his post on Sunday after managing only a fifth-place finish in the Russian Premier League.

He then travelled to Rome to hold talks with the FIGC, admitting he was "happy to be back in Italy".

Italy's first match under their new coach will be a friendly against Saudi Arabia on May 28, followed by further exhibition games against France and Netherlands.