2023-08-27 22:35:00
Roberto Mancini, who in mid-August resigned from the Italy national team, is the new coach of Saudi Arabia, announced the Saudi Football Federation this Sunday (27).
Mancini, 58, has signed a four-year contract to replace France’s Herv Renard, who left the team after the 2022 World Cup to take over France’s women’s national team.
“I am immensely honored to have been offered the job of coaching the Saudi Arabia national team. I think it is a great opportunity for me to experience football in a new country, especially with the growing popularity of football in Asia,” explained the coach. Italian after the announcement.
“The presence of top players in the Saudi Pro League indicates the potential for growth in national team football,” he added.
Mancini had stated that his resignation from the ‘Azzurra’ had nothing to do with a possible Saudi proposal, and justified his departure with the latest decisions made by the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, on the composition of his technical commission.
Under his command, Italy won Euro 2021, but failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar last year.
In addition, the team did not start the qualifiers for Euro 2024 well, with a 2-1 home defeat by England.
In Mancini’s place, the FIGC have appointed 64-year-old Luciano Spalletti, who left Napoli after winning the ‘Scudetto’ last season.
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