The Italian Football Federation confirmed that it has begun negotiations with Roberto Mancini to take over as coach of the vacant position of the 'Azzurri'.
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The federation's commissioner, Roberto Fabbricini, indicated that they had a meeting with Mancini on Monday and that the coach "was open to leaving his position with Zenit St. Petersburg to coach the national team".
Fabbricini added that "nothing has been decided" but that the parties agreed to meet again on May 13, once the Russian league season is over, "to analyze the financial terms and details".
Luigi Di Biagio, coach of the U21 national team, was in charge as interim coach in the friendlies played by Italy last month.
The team has been without a full-time coach since November when Gian Piero Ventura was fired after the 'Azzurri' lost in the playoff against Sweden. It was the first time Italy failed to qualify for a World Cup in six decades.
Mancini, 53 years old and a former player for the national team, has previously coached Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan, Manchester City, and Galatasaray. He has won titles with all of them.
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