Saudi Arabia’s soccer physique stated it was ending the contract of nationwide coach Roberto Mancini after 14 months within the job on Thursday, following a run of poor outcomes.
The Saudi Soccer Federation has reached a mutual settlement to terminate the contract of Mancini, 59, who signed a profitable deal till 2027 in August final yr, a press release stated.
Constructing a powerful nationwide group is a precedence for the oil-rich Saudis who splashed greater than a billion {dollars} on gamers final yr and are the only real bidders for the 2034 World Cup.
“The Saudi Soccer Federation publicizes that it has reached an settlement to terminate the contract of nationwide group coach Roberto Mancini and confirms that the identify of the brand new coach might be introduced inside days,” the physique stated.
Mancini, who led his native Italy to Euro 2020 victory throughout a trophy-laden profession, managed seven wins, six defeats and 5 attracts with the Inexperienced Falcons.
The knives had been out for the previous Manchester Metropolis and Inter Milan boss after a house defeat to Japan and a draw with Gulf rivals Bahrain in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
“The SFF (Saudi Soccer Federation) has been negotiating with Mancini to terminate his contract for the reason that defeat in opposition to Japan,” a supply on the physique, who didn’t wish to be named, informed AFP.
“The scenario just isn’t straightforward as a result of Mancini believes that he didn’t get a full likelihood, along with the truth that the contract may be very large.
“Poor outcomes and unconvincing efficiency within the current interval compelled SFF to make a change.”
– Excessive-profile arrivals –
Mancini’s predecessor Herve Renard, who led the Saudis to a shock win over eventual champions Argentina on the 2022 World Cup, is being touted for a shock return.
The Frenchman left the job abruptly in March 2023 to take over France’s ladies’s group.
“Renard is likely one of the names strongly recommended, however the way in which he left in his earlier interval makes SFF somewhat hesitant,” the SFF supply stated.
Mancini was one in every of a string of high-profile arrivals final yr in Saudi Arabia, the world’s high oil exporter which is making an attempt to transform itself as a enterprise and leisure hub.
He was unveiled in Riyadh simply days after Brazilian celebrity Neymar was introduced to followers within the capital, becoming a member of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and a number of others within the Saudi Professional League.
On the time, Mancini warned he was not a “magician” and 4 months later the Saudis slumped on the Asian Cup in Qatar the place they had been knocked out within the spherical of 16.
Beneath the Italian, the Inexperienced Falcons have dropped 5 locations to 59th within the FIFA rankings, simply the eighth highest among the many Asian groups.
Mancini, who has received Italian and English league titles as coach, signed up with the Saudis only a fortnight after he precipitated a stir by resigning from Italy’s nationwide group.
