Milan, Feb 06: Lazio president Ugo Longo says coach Roberto Mancini, linked with a move to English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, is going nowhere.
A source close to the Rome club confirmed yesterday that Mancini had an ''informal chat'' with Tottenham two months ago but Longo was quick to dismiss rumours that the 39-year-old was heading for London.
''Mancini is a great coach and therefore it is normal that there is a lot of talk about him but he has a contract with Lazio and he will be staying with us for a long time yet,'' Longo told the Italian news agency Ansa.
Just a week ago the 39-year-old Mancini, whose contract with Lazio expires in 2008, told Italian television program Uno Mattina: ''I intend to stay on at Lazio. I've lived in Rome for seven years and I'd like to remain here long-term.''
Tottenham have still not replaced Glenn Hoddle, who was sacked in September following a poor start to the season, although chairman Daniel Levy has said that the new man has already been identified and will take over in the close season.


Bureau Report