Roberto Mancini was officially named as the new head coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team on Sunday, August 27. This appointment comes just a fortnight after Mancini stepped down from his role as the manager of the Italian national team, a position he held for five years. During his tenure, Italy secured victory in the European Championship, triumphing over England in a penalty shootout. However, the team fell short of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mancini's resignation from the Italian managerial post occurred on August 13, marking the end of an era. His new venture with Saudi Arabia is set to begin with a lucrative contract that is reported to be valued at €25 million (£21.5 million) after tax annually, extending through 2027. Italy's Ansa news agency has shared that Mancini will arrive in Riyadh on Monday, August 28, to partake in a presentation event as part of his official introduction to the Saudi football scene.
The allure of Saudi Arabia's footballing ambitions has attracted several high-profile figures, and Mancini is the latest to join this transformational journey. In the recent transfer window, clubs hailing from the prosperous nation made significant investments to acquire accomplished football stars. However, these moves have also prompted scrutiny from human rights organizations, which assert that Saudi Arabia employs sports as a means of bolstering its public image.
Reflecting on his new role, the Italian tactician expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am immensely honored to be offered the position as Saudi Arabia national team manager," adding, "I believe this is a great opportunity for me, to experience football in a new country, especially with the growing popularity of football in Asia. I firmly believe that the passionate footballing culture of Saudi Arabia and the intrinsic quality of Saudi players are crucial ingredients for success. The presence of top players in the Saudi Pro League indicates the potential for growth in the national football scene."
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The debut of Roberto Mancini as the head coach of the Saudi Arabian national team is scheduled for the match against Costa Rica on September 8. This anticipated event will mark the beginning of his tenure on the sidelines for the Saudi team.
Mancini's managerial track record includes his time at Manchester City from 2009 to 2013. Notably, he led the club to its first Premier League title in 2012, cementing his reputation as a successful and influential coach in the footballing world.
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