Mancini: Italy job would be an honour

Roberto Mancini would be privileged to be appointed as the new head coach of the Italy national team, the 49-year-old has stated.

Mancini left his post at Galatasaray at the end of the season, after guiding the club to a second-place finish in his sole campaign at the helm of the Super Lig outfit.

Despite signing a two-year contract extension ahead of the FIFA World Cup, Italy’s first-round exit prompted Cesare Prandelli to depart as national team boss, and has since taken up the role vacated by Mancini in Istanbul.

That move has paved the way for Mancini to take over as Italy head coach, and the former Manchester City and Inter boss would be humbled to be offered the job.

“Italy would be an honour for me,” he told Corriere dello Sport.

“No one called me but I would be proud.

“[The] FIGC [Italian Football Association] need serious and competent men.”

Mancini also dismissed any notion that the national side had failed due to their ageing players, and predicts a bright future for the three-time World Cup winners.

He added: “The national team were too old? The age does not matter.

“I love [Mario] Balotelli, but he must grow up. With [Marco] Verratti and [Ciro] Immobile, the team can be reconstructed.”