Hans Backe has emerged as the favourite to succeed Ian McParland as manager of Notts County after former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini reportedly turned down the job at Meadow Lane.

Magpies' director of football Sven Goran Eriksson is believed to have held talks with close friend Mancini in Italy recently, but the former Sampdoria and Lazio star declined the offer of taking charge of the League Two outfit.

Bookmakers have now slashed the odds on Backe, who was Eriksson's assistant at both Manchester City and Mexico, from from 33-1 to odds on.

The 57-year-old is thought to be the preferred choice from a shortlist of five which also includes former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill and England Under-21s former coach Peter Taylor.

Backe won four Danish League titles with FC Copenhagen and Aalborg and is also thought to be a contender for the Sweden job, after Lars Lagerback stepped down after failing to lead them to the World Cup finals next year.

County currently find themselves in 5th place in League Two, six points behind table toppers Bournemouth and four behind Rochdale, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot in third.