Roberto Mancini 'agreed deal to become Notts County manager'

Notts County were on the verge of appointing Roberto Mancini as manager during the Munto season, Sven Goran-Eriksson has revealed.

The sensational anecdote is reported in a new Notts County book titled One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest, written by lifelong fan Paul Mace and containing stories from former players, managers, directors and fans.

The Italian coach, who had just won three successive Serie A titles with Inter Milan but was sacked to make way for Jose Mourinho, had agreed a four-year contract worth £12m, the book reveals.

Only a last-minute change of heart by Sven, who began doubting the realities of the seemingly perfect financial situation at Meadow Lane, saw him contact Mancini and tell him not to put pen to paper.

"This was the first time I realised all was not as it should be," the book quotes Sven as saying.

"I knew Roberto well from my days at Sampdoria. I was manager and he was a player and a coach with me. He had left Inter Milan and was out of work when I came to Notts County.

"At Notts we spoke about Mancini and I arranged for him to come and talk to the club.

"Roberto came with his representative to London to meet with us - Russell King and Nathan Willett were also present.

"We spent a full day talking in London about the project and the plans for the club. Roberto was keen and wanted to come. It was agreed that he would become the head coach under myself as the sporting director.

"Everything was confirmed, he had agreed to come. The financial terms were not a problem. We broke up for the day and it was our agreement that Roberto would join Notts County as head coach.

"I went into Meadow Lane the following day but still everyone was talking about money. It seemed to be the case that we were always talking about money or a lack of it. Where was the money?

"I started to wonder and have doubts. I did not want to be responsible for bringing Roberto to Notts County and for it to go wrong. It would have reflected very badly on me.

"I rang him and said I do not think that you should come at this time. You are better off staying where you are in Italy. At that point he was still being paid by Inter Milan.

"As it all transpired, there was no money. I did speak to Roberto again after that when he contacted me as he still wanted to come to the club but I could see that things were getting worse not better.

"It was definitely the right decision that Roberto did not come to Notts County. It all turned out well for him because a couple of months later he joined Manchester City."

One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is available online now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ or at the Notts club shop from Saturday.

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