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Roberto Mancini left his role as head coach of Saudi Arabia’s national team by mutual consent.
Football manager Roberto Mancini (AP)
Roberto Mancini was on Thursday axed as coach of the Saudi Arabia national team after 14 months in the job following a run of poor results, officials said.
The Saudi Football Federation has reached a “joint agreement” to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a lucrative deal in August last year, a statement said.
“The Saudi Football Federation announces that it has reached an agreement to terminate the contract of national team coach Roberto Mancini and confirms that the name of the new coach will be announced within days,” the statement said.
Mancini, who led his native Italy to Euro 2020 victory 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 to Japan and a draw with Gulf rivals Bahrain in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
“The SFF (Saudi Football Federation) 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 that 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 SFF to make a change.”
The former Inter Milan and Manchester City manager won multiple titles in a storied career as both player and coach.
But he failed to lead Saudi Arabia to victory at the Asian Cup this year — exiting the tournament in the round of 16.
His actions during that match in Qatar also sparked controversy when he walked off before the end of his team’s losing penalty shootout against South Korea. He later apologized.
Mancini had been hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 — two weeks after he left his job in charge of Italy.
As manager of Inter Milan, he won three Italian league titles and went on to win the Premier League with Manchester City in 2013 thanks to Sergio Aguero’s dramatic late goal on the final day of the season.
(With inputs from Agencies)
- Location :
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
