Former Manchester City and Italy boss Roberto Mancini has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to become the new head coach of Qatari champions Al Sadd.

Mancini was reportedly a contender for the Nottingham Forest job earlier this season, having spent just over a year in charge of Saudi Arabia's national team before resigning last October.

But after being overlooked in favour of Sean Dyche, Mancini has taken up another role in the Middle East, taking over a team currently sixth in the Qatar Stars League.

Mancini led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2011-12, having won Serie A on three occasions with Inter between 2005-06 and 2007-08. 

He also oversaw Italy's triumph over England in the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, only to leave the Azzurri in favour of the Saudi Arabia job, a move that drew widespread criticism in his homeland.

Al Sadd boast a number of players with experience of European football in their squad, including ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and former Wolves defender Romain Saiss.