Luigi Di Biagio to be named temporary Italy boss in time for pre-World Cup friendly against England

ITALY Under-21s boss Luigi Di Biagio will be offered the senior job on a temporary basis, as they continue their search for permanent manager.

Gian Piero Ventura was sacked after he refused to resign after failing to lead the Azzurri to a World Cup for the first time since 1958.

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Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti are among the names in the frame for the permanent role.

But, Italian FA vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta insists they are likely to have a temporary man in line for the friendly against England at Wembley on March 27

He said: "Luigi Di Biagio will be the caretaker manager, if he wants it."

Di Biagio has been manager of the U21s since 2013, but has struggled at a level where Italy tend to impress.

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Despite beating England, they faced elimination at the group stage in the 2015 European Championship, and reached the semi-finals two years later.

A former central-midfielder, Di Biagio made his name at Roma, where he played from 1995 to 1999, before joining Inter Milan.

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He famously missed the crucial spot-kick against France, which saw Italy eliminated from the 1998 World Cup.

And he was part of the Azzurri side, which was beaten in the Euro 2000 final.