I think it is fairly safe to say things are not going to plan at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu.  After a summer of unprecedented spending they were supposed to challenge for honours on all fronts and regain their place at the top of La Liga from Barcelona.

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.

Roberto Donadoni and former Napoli and Chelsea forward, Gianfranco Zola have made the shortlist for new manager at West Ham United.

What an amazing change of events I can remember not to long ago Italian tactics and methods were despised by the English establishment, now it seems there is a shortage of originality in ”the Home Countries” (British Isles) of football and Roman invaders are welcome.

With Fabio Capello already head of the national side, and senior statesman Giovanni Trapattoni coaching the Irish national squad, the ground work for more Italians to coach in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales is being laid.

 News from England reports both Donadoni and Zola have met with the higher-ups at the club and have impressed, especially Zola. Gianfranco is currently joint coach of the Italy Under-21 side and previously plied his trade while at cross-town rivals Chelsea FC in the late 90′s. 

The fact that West Ham already have an Italian (Gianluca Nani) as director of football doesn’t hurt and is clearly a benefit to both candidates if the club truly desires to move toward a more continental style of management and play.

Two other candidates made the shortlist, Michael Laudrup and Slaven Bilic but I wonder if Roberto Mancini could possibly be that phantom waiting in the wings? Mancini has mentioned an interest to come to England and coach and least we forget there is one additional name that may mysteriously reappear, the infamous Paolo Di Canio who was a West Ham striker from 1999-2003.

Personally I think the Di Canio option is the least likely but one never knows what management is thinking.

Related Articles

UK Guardian – West Ham narrow manager shortlist to four
BBC Sports – Zola & Donadoni impress West Ham

NEWSFLASH – looks like Michael Laudrup is out of the running for the vacant manager’s job at West Ham after agreeing to take over at Spartak Moscow. Biliac has also indicated a move by next match day is impossible. Looks very likely an Italian will get the job.