Stefano Zanini has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the job as Italian national coach after the resignation of Paolo Bettini who is likely to take on a role with the new Fernando Alonso team. Knowing that he is only the second choice, Zanini is honoured to see his name come up as a possible successor of Bettini but keeps his feet firmly on the ground and will continue his work with Astana until a final decision has been made.

It came as a surprise to many when Paolo Bettini suddenly announced that he will be stepping down from his position as coach of the Italian national team. While he has not yet confirmed the rumours, everything suggests that he will take on a role with the Fernando Alonso team but his departure has sparked much speculation about his successor in one of the most important jobs in the Italian cycling world.

Already on the same day when Bettini announced his resignation, Italian media reported that the federation was mainly considering to options for the vacant job. TV commentator and former professional Davide Cassani was rumoured to be the first choice while another ex-rider, current Astana sports director Stefano Zanini, was said to be next on the list.

Federation president Renato Di Rocco has later confirmed that Cassani is the preferred candidate. However, Cassani has made it clear that he will have to discuss things with his current employer, public broadcaster RAI, and a final decision will not be made until the middle of January.

This means that Zanini may still end up in the position of leader of the Italian national team and he is honoured to find himself as a candidate for the job. However, he didn't believe it at all when he first heard that his name had been mentioned as Bettini's potential replacement.

"It is exactly what happened," he said to Varesesport when asked about his potential disbelief. "We had a laugh and of course it made me very happy. The next day I got the confirmation: first of all from the journalistic world, from Stasi, the director of Tuttobiciweb who was the first to report the news, and Di Benedetto who works for Italia 1."

One day later he got the official confirmation from president Di Rocco.

"I received his phone call and thought: "Then it is all true!" The president told me that Cassani is the first choice but the second name is that of Zanini," he said. "My emotions are satsifaction and pride. After a life dedicated to cycling, it repays all my hard work to be mentions for such an important job."

Di Rocco has since publicly confirmed that Zanini is one of two main candidates but he stressed that a definitive decision has not been made.

"Cassani and Zanini are two professionals and two high-profile names," he told Tuttobiciweb. "Davide is well-known and Stefano is also an expert. They are certainly two candidates who deserve our attention but now it is good to consider everything. After 15 days of speculation, we know who will take over the baton from Bettini."

Zanini can now only wait for the situation to be clarified. Until then, he will continue his work with his current team which he will direct at the Tour Down Under.

"[I am] quiet and peaceful," he said. "I am already happy to be a candidate and to have been taken into account. On January 9, I leave for Australia with Astana and will stay there until January 27. We will see."

He doesn't expect to give up his current job.

"I owe a lot to Astana who allowed me to return to the cycling world," he said. "The role of national coach should be compatible with what I am doing today. But it is very early to think about it. Let's wait for the phone call and then..."