Roberto Mancini, 59, the head coach of the Saudi Arabian national team, is finally hanging up his boots.
“The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has decided to suspend Mancini, blaming him for poor results,” Saudi media outlet Al-Madinah reported on 토토사이트 Sunday (local time).
These are the miserable words of the world’s highest-paid coach. SAFF hired Mancini last summer with the goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. It was an extraordinary appointment. He was paid a whopping 25 million euros ($37.2 billion) a year. He was paid more than Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
SAFF’s first goal was to lift the trophy at the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar. The Saudis, considered one of Asia’s powerhouses, have not won the tournament since 1996. With the arrival of a slew of star players, the level of their domestic league had risen, and they were looking to win their first title in 28 years.
The results were dire. Mancini’s side lost to Jürgen Klinsmann’s South Korea in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout. Mancini sparked controversy when he stormed off the field during the penalty shootout as he realized he had lost.
SAFF decided to give Mancini one more chance, but he showed no signs of improvement. With rumors of a return to Europe’s big leagues swirling around him, Mancini was unable to focus on Saudi Arabia, and the team’s first four matches in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup have been abysmal. To make matters worse, he recently clashed with fans during a 0-0 draw against Bahrain, when he was booed off the field.
Mancini wants to stay with the Saudis, but SAFF’s patience has apparently run out. The team will likely have a new boss from the A-Match week in November. There is also speculation that Hervé Renard, who previously coached Saudi Arabia to victory over Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, could return.
According to British outlet Goal.com, Mancini is expected to seek a return to Europe at the same time as his sacking. In fact, top Serie A clubs such as AC Milan, Bologna FC 1909, and UC Sampdoria have reportedly expressed interest in Mancini’s appointment.