Real line up Italian Maestro?

In all fairness they’re only a point behind Barca but the Real hieracrhcy are known for being a bit trigger happy when it comes to managers.  Current Real boss Manuel Pellegrini’s situation in the Spanish capital was put under increased pressure following a frankly humiliating 4-0 loss at third division side Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey, while the Champions League loss to AC Milan at home will have done him no favours either.

Rumours have begun to circulate that former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is being lined up to replace Pellegrini should results fail to improve.  It would seem a logical choice should the Real board decide to wield the axe as Mancini is perhaps the most respected manager without a job at the moment in the world of football.  His domestic record with Inter was fantastic as he guided them to three successive Scudetti and picked up seven trophies in total, with a win percentage of over 60%.

However, his agent seems to have no idea about a possible move to Spain for his client.

“I know nothing about Mancini at Real,” agent Girogio Di Giorgis told the ANSA news agency. “If it would be true, he would have told me. Anyway, I wish this for him.”

Mancini himself was coy on a possible link to Real Madrid but suggested he would be willing, if not eager, to manage outside of Serie A.

Speaking to Sky Italia he said:  “I have said it once before, at times you never think that you’ll train a certain team and then you end up training that very team.

“I think that, for me, an experience abroad could be really useful, considering that I think it’s the right moment. But we’ll see.”

At just 44-years-of age it seems highly likely Mancini will return to management and considering his reputation it could happen very soon indeed.  If not Real Madrid another European side may seek his services and there could well be other sides in Serie A which would appeal to Mancini.  In a slightly ridiculous link English football league club Notts County have been mooted as a possible destination.  For those unaware of the goings on at the County Ground they have just been boosted by a massive investment with former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson employed as a director of football.  However, Notts County are in the fourth-tier of English football and I can’t see a man with Mancini’s reputation wanting to manage at that level, if there was any truth in that rumour in the first place.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Irish racing betting picks and advice for Betfair.