Italy want Cesare Prandelli to succeed Marcello Lippi as national team coach after the World Cup, his club Fiorentina have confirmed.

Lippi is widely tipped to step down after the tournament in South Africa which gets under way next month. The Serie A club have given permission to Prandelli - who led La Viola to the second round of the Champions League this term - to speak to the Italian Football Federation.

"Fiorentina director Andrea Della Valle has told Italian Federation president Giancarlo Abete that the decision lies with the coach," said a statement on the club's official website.