New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was all set for the Notts County job, it has been revealed.

Mancini was the first choice of his former mentor, Sven Goran Eriksson, had the purchase of County by Munto Finance been completed. Eriksson and Mancini talk to each other on a daily basis.

"He would certainly have been approached by Sven had things worked out as planned," a source told the Mail on Sunday.

"Not only did Mancini's playing career develop and flourish under Sven at Sampdoria but he also gave him his first coaching job at Lazio. Mancini regards Sven as his biggest influence both as a player and a coach."