- Italy are set to announce Roberto Mancini as their new coach
- The Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup in the play-offs
- Italy will play Saudi Arabia, France, and Netherlands in a friendly
Roberto Mancini is expected to be announced as coach of the Italian national team on Wednesday, May, 16, Sky Sports reports.
The former Manchester City manager who left Russian side Zenit St Petersburg on Sunday on mutual consent was due to travel to Rome on Monday to meet up with the Italian FA to finalise his contract.
Italian Federation [FIGC] commissioner Roberto Fabbricini said the ex-Inter Milan coach had agreed in principle to become the next manager of four-time world champions.
READ ALSO: Neymar says he is frustrated with rumours about his future
The Azzurri failed to qualify for this summer's World Cup after defeat to Sweden in a two-leg play-off and reports have it Mancini has agreed a big pay cut to secure the job.
The 53-year-old is giving up potential earnings of €13m (£11.5m) by agreeing a termination of his Zenit contract just one year into a three-year deal.
He will be meeting with his team on May, 22, at Italy's Coverciano training centre to prepare for his first game in charge in a friendly against Saudi Arabia in San Gallo on May, 28.
He will also face a stern test against France in Nice on June, 1, and the Netherlands in Turin three days later.
PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone'
Mario Balotelli could likely make a return to the national team following Mancini's appointment after he was omitted against England and Argentina in April.
Meanwhile NAIJ.com had earlier reported that Chelsea coach Antonio Conte was favourite to become the next national team coach.
The 2006 world champions failed to qualify after failing against Sweden as captain and goalkeeper announced his retirement from international duty.
Who do you think will win the 2017/2018 EPL? - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng