Now the cat is out of the bag: Roberto Mancini will be the new national coach of Saudi Arabia – his commitment will be princely remunerated.
As confirmed by the Saudi federation on Sunday, the Italian European champion coach will soon travel to the emirate together with close associates around Italy’s former team manager Gabriele Oriali to sign a four-year contract that is expected to guarantee him at least 90 million euros. “I made history in Europe,” the 58-year-old said in a video circulated via X, formerly Twitter, announcing: “Now it’s time to make history in Saudi Arabia.”
Mancini had been Italy’s national coach since 2018, surprisingly leading the Squadra Azzurra to the European Championship title in 2021 (3:2 i. E. against England). His time was not crowned with success, however, and he also missed last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Nevertheless, the Italian sporting world was caught cold when Roberto Mancini suddenly resigned as national coach a good a fortnight ago. The timing came as a surprise, as shortly before the 58-year-old had been given more powers. Nevertheless, Mancini wrote of a “personal decision”.
Criticism and media mudslinging
Not everyone bought this reasoning, especially as rumours of a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia were doing the rounds. According to information from the SID, a guaranteed 90 million euros for four years was on the table – an almost immoral offer. His critics said that his resignation was immoral, especially in view of the upcoming European Championship in less than a year.
Mancini insisted that Saudi Arabia had nothing to do with his decision, but that differences of opinion with the head of the association, Gabriele Gravina, had been the decisive factor. Gravina, in turn, countered by return and engaged in a media mudslinging match with Mancini.
Now people in Italy are certainly hoping that peace will finally return. The Squadra Azzurra has already found a new national coach in Luciano Spaletti.
