* Galateri wins backing of key Generali investors-source
* Board meeting in Rome seen rubber-stamping decision * Galateri seen less dominant than Geronzi
(Adds details, background, shares)
By Gianluca Semeraro
MILAN, April 8 (Reuters) - Telecom Italia's outgoing chairman Gabriele Galateri di Genola has secured Generali's top job after winning enough support among key investors, a source close to Generali's board said.
Galateri di Genola, a former chairman of Generali's main investor Mediobanca SpA, will replace powerful corporate insider Cesare Geronzi, who resigned as chairman of Europe's third largest insurer after clashing with directors.
"A consensus has been reached among board members over Galateri as chairman," the source told Reuters on Friday.
Generali's board will meet later on Friday to rubber stamp the decision after top investor Mediobanca gave its blessing to Galateri at a nomination committee meeting earlier in the day.
Galateri, 64, is well-known in business circles due to his Mediobanca days. But some analysts view him as too close to the investment bank, which owns 13.5 percent of Generali.
Contrary to the controversial Geronzi, who at 76 could still pull strings in the inter-connected world of Italian politics and business, Galateri is seen having a less dominant personality and not inclined to interfere with management.
But he may not be liked by those investors who were hoping for wider changes at one of Italy's biggest companies.
"He is hardly a fresh face," said a senior Italian banker.
Geronzi clashed with several directors before facing a no-confidence vote by board members at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
Leonardo Del Vecchio, 75, founder of eyewear maker Luxottica , resigned in anger from the board of Generali in February as he said he could not influence the group's strategy.
Tod's boss Diego Della Valle, 57, another Generali board member, was also openly critical of Geronzi and instrumental in forcing Geronzi to resign.
Generali shares have been underperforming the insurance sector, suffering from a "governance discount" while the boardroom row dragged on. At 1315 GMT, Generali shares were up 1.6 percent. The STOXX Europe 600 insurance index was up 1.3 percent.
(Additional reporting by Lisa Jucca; Editing by David Cowell)