Fabio Cannavaro is now the favourite to replace Roberto Mancini as Italy boss after failing to qualify for the World Cup, just two months after Everton snubbed him for their position.
That’s according to Sport Mediaset, who report Mancini is moving towards resigning from his position as Azzurri head coach. The former Manchester City manager has held the role since 2018, but is considering calling quits after a humiliating defeat to North Macedonia.
Italy hosted North Macedonia in a win-or-bust qualifying play-off semi-final on Thursday. But despite dominating the tie, the Azzurri – who won Euro 2020 last summer – could not find a breakthrough. Which Aleksandar Trajkovski offered the minnows after 92 minutes.
Italy have now failed to qualify for successive World Cups, after also failing to feature at the 2018 Russia edition. Defeat to North Macedonia also ensures the Azzurri’s wait for a World Cup knockout fixture continues, with their last being the 2006 final that they won.
Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, has come out in support of Mancini keeping his job. He is also doing his utmost to convince the 57-year-old to stay on. But Mancini is leaning to resigning after using Tuesday’s friendly with Turkey as a goodbye.
Cannavaro favourite to replace Mancini as Italy boss after failed Everton talks
So, with Mancini possibly resigning next week, Italy are searching for a successor and have identified Cannavaro as the favourite candidate, just months after Everton snubbed him in favour of Frank Lampard moving to Goodison Park to replace Rafa Benitez on January 31.
Cannavaro later confirmed to The Telegraph he spoke with Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri over taking charge on Merseyside. He also told Calciomercato.it that he ‘had the pleasure and honour of speaking with Everton’, who have since won four of Lampard’s 10 matches.
Just two of Lampard’s wins as Everton manager have come in seven Premier League games to five defeats so far. It leaves the Blues 17th in the table with a three-point margin to the drop zone. Although the Goodison natives do still hold two games in hand over Watford.
Cannavaro, meanwhile, may bounce back from Everton’s snub by replacing Mancini as the new Italy manager. Gravina is almost resigned to Mancini leaving his position and admires a possible partnership of Cannavaro as coach and Marcello Lippi as the technical director.
Gravina has also carried out polls with Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Ranieri, in a possible final position for the Premier League-winning coach with Leicester City. He also likes AC Milan’s Stefano Pioli, who has the San Siro side seeking Serie A success atop the table this season.
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