Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone has said that it would be "a dream" to tempt former player Roberto Mancini to the managerial post at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
The 48-year-old's dismissal at Manchester City was confirmed on Monday evening after speculation had been intensified by his team's FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Garrone said that although it is good to have ambition, appointing Mancini is an unrealistic proposition, before adding that the club is preparing a new contract for current boss Delio Rossi.
"Roberto Mancini as the new Sampdoria manager is something from a dream world," Garrone told Ansa. "Dreaming is not wrong, but it still remains a dream.
"For my part, the Sampdoria coach for next season will still be Delio Rossi and I think we'll arrange a new contract with him very soon."
Mancini, who spent 15 years as a player at Sampdoria, won the FA Cup and the Premier League during his three years in charge at the Etihad.