Mancini to quit post at end of season

MILAN: Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said on Tuesday he will quit his job at the end of the current season.

Mancini made his announcement following the Italian champion's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool.

Inter lost the home leg 1-0 having also lost 2-0 in England three weeks ago - in both matches it had a player sent off.

"I know I still have four years to run on my contract but the next two-and-a-half months will be my last guiding Inter.

"I've told the lads and it's right to tell everyone. It's a decision I've taken and has nothing to do with tonight's defeat."

Mancini took over the Inter helm in 2004 and led the nerazzurri to titles in his first two seasons - although the first was only won after Juventus and AC Milan were demoted and deducted points for match-fixing.

Inter currently leads Serie A by six points from AS Roma and is through to the semifinals of the Italian Cup.

Prior to joining Inter, Mancini coached Lazio and Fiorentina, winning the Italian Cup with both.

During a glittering playing career as a striker he represented Italy 36 times from 1984 to 1994, although he scored only four goals.

He began his playing career at Bologna before moving on to Sampdoria, where he spent 15 years, winning the Serie A title in 1991, reaching a Champions League final, winning the Cup Winners' Cup and four Italian Cups.

He then moved on to Lazio where he won another Scudetto, another Cup Winners' Cup and two more Italian Cups. He ended his career in 2001 with Leicester City in the English Premier League, although he made only four appearances there.

AFP

(China Daily 03/13/2008 page22)