Roberto Mancini holds talks with Italian Football Federation about becoming Italy coach

Roberto Mancini has held talks with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) about becoming the new Italy coach.

The former Manchester City boss, who is currently in charge of Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, has had a meeting with FIGC vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta, the federation told Press Asssociation Sport.

Italy are looking for a replacement for Giampiero Ventura, who was sacked in November after the Azzurri failed to reach the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.

Luigi di Biagio, the coach of Italy's Under-21 side, is in caretaker charge of the national team.

FIGC commissioner Roberto Fabbricini has indicated Mancini will leave his post at Zenit at the end of the Russian Premier League season later this month.

He was quoted as saying by Russian news agency ANSA: "We agreed that we will start talking about figures and details on May 13, at the end of the Russian Championship...I repeat, he said he was available."

Mancini, who won 36 caps for Italy as a player, led City to the Premier League title in 2011/12 after three Serie A title wins with Inter Milan.

Since leaving the Etihad in 2013 he has managed Galatasaray and Inter again before being appointed Zenit boss last June.