PUNTERS have been quick to back Roberto Mancini, the Inter Milan coach, to become the next Newcastle United manager after he spoke of his intention to quit Italian football after players from his side were attacked by fans at the weekend.

Mancini, who is in to 3-1 from 7-2 with totesport to take the helm at St James’ Park, has become increasingly disillusioned with the scene in Italy and was left disgusted at the weekend after Javier Zanetti, Inter’s Argentinian captain, and Cristiano Zanetti, the Italian midfield player, were punched and kicked by fans at Malpensa airport, near Milan, as they returned from Saturday’s Serie A win at Ascoli.
 
Speaking on Monday, Mancini said: “This matter has speeded up my plans to go abroad — when I finish with Inter I will leave Italy, that’s a certainty.”

Mancini has come under pressure after Inter’s Champions League elimination by Villarreal last week but is highly respected in the game.

Martin O’Neill is totesport’s 2-1 favourite to be the next manager at Newcastle, but the former Celtic manager’s position at the head of bookies’ lists is under threat.

Paul Petrie, spokesman for totesport, said: “It seems that punters have realised that O’Neill does not want the Newcastle job and are looking around elsewhere. We still make O’Neill the favourite, but I can definitely see that changing by the end of the week as more rumours start to circulate around the North East.”