Roberto Mancini to leave Italy job after 2022 World Cup

New Italy's head coach Roberto Mancini reacts during the friendly football match between Italy and Saudi Arabia at Kybunpark stadium in St Gallen on May 28, 2018. [AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI]

Italy coach Roberto Mancini said Tuesday that he would like to leave the Azzurri and return to club management after the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

Mancini took charge of Italy in May 2018, after the Azzurri had failed to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia under predecessor Giampiero Ventura. Italy has since undergone a renaissance under Mancini, winning all ten Euro 2020 qualifiers to secure a place at this summer’s delayed tournament.

However, the former Inter Milan and Manchester City coach told Italian talk show Tiki Taka that he would prefer to step down. “I will return to coach a club,” he said.

Mancini also named three candidates to succeed him. “There are many coaches who can do it, such as Massimiliano Allegri, Carlo Ancelotti and Gian Piero Gasperini.”