Italy could move to appoint Manchester City's Roberto Mancini as national team coach should the Azzurri fail to perform at Euro 2012.
Current boss Cesare Prandelli has been under mounting pressure for some time, and the Sky Blues manager tops the shortlist of potential successors, according to The Sun.
Mancini, who won the Premier League with City last season, has one year remaining on his current contract and has yet to agree an extension despite holding talks with club executives.
The English champions are hoping to convince the Italian to sign a four-year deal worth £5.5m a year, which would make him the highest-paid manager in the league. alongside Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mancini previously expressed interest in coaching his country in the future.
