Yesterday Paolo Bettini announced that he will step down from his position as Italian national coach and the name of Davide Cassani was immediately mentioned as a possible replacement. Today the president of the Italian cycling federation Renato Di Rocco confirms that the former professional is the number one candidate to become the new leader of the Azzurri team.

In July, Paolo Bettini reversed his decision to step down from his position as Italian national coach and so the Italian federation appeared to have the future of the national team in place. However, that all changed yesterday when Bettini made the surprise announcement that he has again changed his mind and will indeed resign from his job.

Of course this has triggered a big discussion about his successor, with several names being mentioned in the national media. Maximilian Sciandri, Michele Bartoli, Stefano Zanini, Roberto Damiani, Maurizio Fondriest and the coach of the women's team, Dino Salvoldi, all found themselves being linked with one of the most prestigious jobs in the Italian cycling world.

However, one name appeared to be ahead of anyone else. Davide Cassani was immediately mentioned as one of the biggest favourites to take over the position. Riding as a professional from 1982 to 1996 with the Termolan, Santini Race, Gewiss, Ariostea, MG and Saeco teams, Cassani was selected for the Italian team  at nine different World Championships. Since his retirement, he has become famous for his work as a commentator for public broadcaster RAI - attracting worldwide attention when his revelations was the straw that broke the camel's back in the Michael Rasmussen affair - and was quickly seen as an obvious candidate for the vacant position.

Now federation president Renato Di Rocco admits that Cassani is the first priority.

"It makes no sense to hide it: Cassani is the number one candidate," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But there is still something to be considered, both by us and by him. In early January, we will meet to find the right deal. I think the mutual desire exists.

"We already thought about Cassani in 2010 when Franco Ballerini had to be replaced."

Contacted by the Italian newspaper, Cassani says that he feels "pleasure and pride" by being mentioned as a potential successor of Bettini.

"Everyone knows my love for the Azzurri jersey and my history at the World Championships," he said. "But from that to talks about me as the new coach... We will discuss it in early January. Before accepting an offer,  I need to consider some aspects, especially those with Rai Sports, and I need to talk to director Mauro Mazza and Alexander Fabretti who is responsible for cycling."

Bettini has been linked with a job in the new Fernando Alonso team but refuses to name his future employer.