Roberto Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
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Roberto Mancini left the Azzurri in August 2023 to take over as coach of the Saudis, but was fired from his role in October.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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ROME – Italy’s European Championship-winning coach Roberto Mancini admitted on Dec 22 that he had regrets over leaving the Azzurri to take control of Saudi Arabia.
Mancini left the Italy national team in August 2023 to take over as coach of the Saudis, but was fired from his role in October
He was replaced as the Azzurri boss by Luciano Spalletti.
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t take the decision to leave the Nazionale (Italy national team) again, because coaching this national team is the most beautiful thing,” Mancini, 60, told public broadcaster Rai.
“Maybe the president of the Italian FA (football association, Gabriele Gravina) and I didn’t understand each other, maybe we were just going through a difficult period, maybe things could have turned out differently, but I have nothing against him.”
After surprisingly resigning from the top job with Italy, Mancini penned a deal worth a reported US$25 million (S$33.9 million) a year with Saudi Arabia, which was set to run through to 2027.
But after just seven victories in 18 matches, the Saudi federation decided to let go of the former Manchester City manager.
He was unveiled in Riyadh just days after Brazilian superstar Neymar was presented to fans in the capital, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and a host of others in the Saudi Pro League.
At the time, Mancini warned he was not a “magician” and in January, the Saudis slumped at the Asian Cup in Qatar, where they were knocked out in the round of 16.
The significant influx of highly paid foreign stars to the country in recent seasons was a source of consternation for Mancini.
With clubs allowed to sign as many as 10 non-Saudi players and field up to eight in each league match, Mancini was left overseeing players who were often lacking game time.
The Italian lamented in October: “The only problem we have, three years ago all the Saudi players played every game.
“Today, 50, 60 per cent don’t play in the game and this is the only problem that we have.”
Later that month, he was out of a job after a poor run in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. His predecessor Herve Renard replaced him in late October.
“My career speaks for itself,” Mancini said, adding that he did not join the Gulf kingdom side for money.
The former Italy striker led Inter Milan and City to league titles and won Cups with Fiorentina, Lazio and Galatasaray, before coaching Italy to the Euro 2020 title.
Rumours currently link Mancini with the AS Roma job at the end of the season.
However, he insisted that he was “not in contact with anyone”, before adding “but something will happen, it’s only a matter of time”. AFP, REUTERS
