Saudis part ways with coach Roberto Mancini after poor run
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Roberto Mancini has been sacked as Saudi Arabia coach after just 14 months in the job.
PHOTO: REUTERS
RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s football body said on Oct 24 it was parting ways with national coach Roberto Mancini after 14 months in the job, following a run of poor results.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of the 59-year-old Italian, who signed a lucrative deal until 2027 in August 2023, a statement said.
Building a strong national team is a priority for the oil-rich Saudis, who splashed more than a billion dollars on players in 2023 and are the sole bidders for the 2034 World Cup.
“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation confirms that the name of the new coach will be announced within days,” it added.
Mancini, who led his native Italy to the Euro 2020 title during a trophy-laden career, managed seven wins, six defeats and five draws with the Green Falcons.
The knives were out for the former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss, after a home defeat by Japan and a draw with Bahrain in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
“The SAFF has been negotiating with Mancini to terminate his contract since the defeat against Japan,” a source at the body, who did not want to be named, told AFP.
“The situation is not easy because Mancini believes he did not get a full chance, in addition to the fact that the contract is very massive. Poor results and unconvincing performance in the recent period forced SAFF to make a change.”
Mancini’s predecessor Herve Renard, who led the Saudis to a shock win over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, is being touted for a surprise return.
The Frenchman left the job abruptly in March 2023 to take over France’s women’s team.
“Renard is one of the names strongly suggested, but the way he left in his previous period makes SAFF a little hesitant,” the SAFF source said.
Mancini was one of a string of high-profile arrivals in 2023 in Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter which is trying to remodel itself as a business and leisure hub.
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 four months later, the Saudis slumped at the Asian Cup in Qatar, where they were knocked out in the round of 16.
Under the Italian, the Green Falcons have dropped five places to 59th in the Fifa rankings. AFP
