Mancini has denied having taken up a formal role at his former club, but his former deputies with the national team, Alberico Evani and Attilio Lombardo, have come in as coach and assistant coach.
The team is third bottom with six games to go, three points shy of the safety zone, with four teams going down to the third tier.
As a player Mancini, 60, helped Sampdoria win the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1990 and the Serie A title in 1991, as well as reach the European Cup final in 1992.
He stepped down as Saudi Arabia coach in October after disappointing results.
ANSA
