City face Ranieri Parm off

Parma coach Claudio Ranieri is keen to shun reported interest from Manchester City and stay with the Serie A club.

The 56-year-old took over struggling Parma in February and has successfully guided them to safety, with a 12th-placed finish in the Italian top flight. His impressive stint has allegedly convinced the City board he is the man to take over from former boss Stuart Pearce.

But the Italian is keen to build on his success at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, saying: "I would like to remain at Parma. It is a healthy club, led by people who love football. But my future has yet to be decided."

Ranieri has never excluded a possible return to England.

The Rome-born coach guided Chelsea to the Champions League semi-finals and runners-up spot in the Premiership before Jose Mourinho took charge at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004.

But Ranieri has denied any contact with Manchester City, insisting: "I don´t know anything about it."

Parma´s willingness to keep him could be enough to see Ranieri extend his stay in Serie A.

"We want Ranieri to stay," said Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi on the club´s official website, www.fcparma.it.

"He is tempted by the idea of going to England but we will try to keep him.

"He is fascinated by English football and this is no secret. But the warmth of the fans and the atmosphere at Parma will make him reflect on his future."