The former coach of the Italian national team, Roberto Mancini, will train the players of Saudi Arabia, the local union announced his engagement on the social network X, formerly Twitter. According to the media, the 58-year-old coach will sign a three-year contract. Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Mancini will earn a total of 90 million euros (2.2 billion crowns) in his new position.
Mancini stepped down as Italy coach two weeks ago after a five-year spell during which he led the Azzurri to the European Championship but failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. He was replaced by former Napoli champion Luciano Spalletti.
“I made history in Europe. Now it’s time to make history with Saudi Arabia,” Mancini said in a video released by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. He will lead his new charges for the first time in September’s friendly matches against Costa Rica and Korea. Both duels will be played in Newcastle at the stadium of the local Premier League club, whose majority owner is a Saudi Arabian investment fund.
A tape of memories, after which the journey of writing history with Al-Akhdar beginspic.twitter.com/AhJzClKsyf
– The Saudi team (@SaudiNT) August 27, 2023
French coach Hervé Renard left the Saudi Arabian national team in March. The country’s national team, which has invested huge sums in the sport in recent months, will be aiming for a fourth Asian title at the continental championship in Qatar early next year.
Mancini will coach the second national team in his career. Before the Italian national team, he managed Fiorentina, Lazio Rome, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Galatasaray Istanbul and Zenit St. Petersburg. As a player, the former Sampdoria Genoa or Lazio striker played 36 matches in the national team and scored four goals.
2023-08-28 05:38:15
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