MILAN - Roberto Mancini's agent hopes his client will reconsider his "unexpected" decision to leave Internazionale this summer.
Giorgio De Giorgis, who represents the Nerazzurri coach, was surprised by Mancini's announcement during Tuesday's press conference following his side's Champions League elimination by Liverpool.
Mancini, who has four years left on his contract with the defending Serie A champions, stunned the club by revealing he intended to quit at the end of the season.
De Giorgis: "I do not exclude at all the possibility that he will remain at Inter. I hope he does.
"Club president Massimo Moratti values him and he values the president, so I hope he will stay. We must understand the reasons behind this unexpected decision."
Mancini, 43, oversaw training on Wednesday amid speculation over who will replace him, with Jose Mourinho closely linked to the Nerazzurri hotseat.
The former Chelsea boss' personal advisor has played down those reports, though he did insist the Portuguese will be in charge of a top European club next season.
Eladio Parames told PA Sport: "As far as I am aware he has not spoken to the Inter president.
"What happens is that his background speaks for itself so it's natural that the media keep writing, talking and speculating about him.
"Papers mention the Liverpool job too, but Mourinho has had no contact there either.
"Definitely he will be managing a top-flight club in Europe next season. I can not tell you which club it will be, but he will be back, for sure."
Mancini's announcement left the Inter squad stunned on Wednesday, with some struggling to digest the news.
"I didn't know anything about this," said striker Julio Cruz. "But then again in the heat of the moment many things are said.
"Obviously it's his decision and I don't know what he is thinking, it's difficult to say something.
"We just have to look ahead and end the campaign in the best possible way."
Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is hopeful Mancini will reconsider.
"We must remain calm and not make any comments on the spur of the moment," he said.
"From what I heard, he said the word `probably', so we will try to rest and then think about this some more in the coming days when we've all cooled down.
"We are disappointed just as he is."
Mancini joined Inter from Lazio in 2004 and led the club to back-to-back Serie A titles in 2006 and 2007.
Inter, who only last weekend celebrated their centenary, are still on course to win two titles.
The Nerazzurri lead the Serie A standings with a six-point advantage over Scudetto hopefuls Roma with 11 games remaining, and will take on Lazio next month in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
