ROME Serie A side Fiorentina said on Tuesday they were trying to overcome a series of obstacles blocking them from confirming former Italy striker Roberto Mancini as coach.

Mancini wants the job but is still under contract as a player at Lazio, whom he left last month following the departure of Sven Goran Eriksson to take the England job.

In addition, Mancini has not yet earned his Italian professional coaching qualification. he was Eriksson's assistant at Lazio but is not eligible to take the helm at a Serie A club in his own right.

"We're trying to overcome these various problems," a Fiorentina spokesman said.

"At the moment Mancini does not have a contract at the club but we might be in a position to announce something later today."

Fiorentina were thrown into chaos on Monday when Turkish Coach Fatih Terim resigned less than a year into the job following a poor run of form and a bust-up with the club's volatile President Vittorio Cecchi Gori.

Fiorentina Director General Giancarlo Antognoni, one of the greatest players in the club's history, also resigned along with Terim's entire coaching staff.

Terim, who guided Galatasaray to victory in the UEFA Cup last season, had already announced he would leave at the end of this season.

But Fiorentina's poor form -- they have not won in the league in six matches dating back to January 13 -- culminated in a reported row between Terim and Cecchi Gori following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brescia.

"If the problem is me then I leave and I leave it all, including the money in the hope that they spend it on some players," Terim said in announcing his resignation.

Fiorentina's Vice President Mario Sconcerti was quoted as saying that the problems surrounding Mancini's appointment would be resolved.

"Our future coach will be Roberto Mancini," he said. "He will take the training session on Thursday.

In the meantime (youth team Coach Luciano) Chiarugi will be on the bench for the next two sessions."

Mancini, 36, who made his name as a player in the successful Sampdoria side of the late 1980s and early 1990s, has little experience but has been eager to make the transition to the bench since he retired as a player.

He had a short spell at English Premier League side Leicester City after leaving Lazio and had been expected to stay there, possibly to take over as coach.

(Reuter)