Mancini was sacked by Inter Milan at the end of last season despite guiding the Nerazzurri to a hat-trick of Serie A titles and still having five years left on his contract at the San Siro.

The 43-year-old's name is one of a handful to be linked with the Hammers job, replacing Alan Curbishley who resigned on Wednesday, and is thought to be on a shortlist of possible candidates.

However, Giorgio De Giorgis claims Mancini will not take on a new team until finalising his compensation package with Inter.

"Until his contract situation is resolved with Inter, Roberto Mancini won't talk to other clubs: that's the way he is," De Giorgis told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Roberto loves England and London in particular, something which he has never denied."

Mancini famously made five appearances for Peter Taylor's Leicester in early 2001.

West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani is thought to favour an Italian coach as Curbishley's successor and the shortlist reportedly includes two more of his compatriots - former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola and ex-Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.