Zenit St Petersburg coach Roberto Mancini admits taking charge of Italy would be a dream come true.

Mancini was been linked to the job as a replacement for the sacked Giampiero Ventura.

“I have a dream, to win as CT what I couldn't win as a player: a World Cup," Mancini revealed to Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I've been working on the pitch every day for 40 years as a player and a Coach. Besides, I'm young, I could always return to clubs after the national team.

“I've worked last big clubs and won. Coaching the national team is a beautiful thing. It would be an honour, a source of pride.

“And wining a World Cup or European Championships even more so…

“There are good young people there, I like [Andrea] Belotti, [Lorenzo] Pellegrini, and [Alessio] Romagnoli, who can still grow a lot. And more are coming through every season.

“Italians have something more. The materials are there to do a good job, perhaps we need to give a common approach to all the youth teams as happened when I was there.

“I'd also like to see jobs for former players, but not just by virtue of who they were. Only those with something to give, with passion and charisma.

“And they'd have to be in roles proportionate to their knowledge and their experience, symbols don't help anyone.

“Money wouldn't be a problem. Let's make it clear though, we're talking off the cuff here: I have a contract with Zenit, who are doing well."