Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini rules himself out of Italy job after World Cup

Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC), is understood to have drawn up a three-man shortlist of contenders to replace Lippi if, as expected, the 2006 World Cup-winning coach opts to stand down following the Azzurri's defence of their title in South Africa. Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli is Abete's top choice, but the 52 year-old is believed to prefer a move to Juventus, leaving Manchester City manager Mancini and Juventus coach Alberto Zaccheroni as the remaining candidates.  Related ArticlesFulham v Manchester City: match previewBridge sidelined for a month after hernia opRoberto Mancini lined up for Italian jobJohnson eyes World CupWright-Phillips told to keep quiet over pay disputeSport on televisionFormer Inter coach Mancini, who won 36 caps for Italy during his playing career, signed a 3½-year contract on his arrival as successor to Mark Hughes in December. He said: "Maybe in 10 years I would be interested [in managing Italy], but not now. "If Lippi leaves after the World Cup, I think Prandelli would be a good choice. He is a good manager. I don't know if Lippi will leave, but I am staying here."City travel to Fulham on Sunday without full-back Wayne Bridge, who faces a month on the sidelines following groin surgery.

Source: Telegraph