Roberto Mancini has officially left his role as head coach of the Saudi Arabian national team, following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. The 59-year-old former Italy manager had taken charge in August 2023 and managed the team for 18 matches.
This departure, which has been widely anticipated, confirms that Mancini will not guide Saudi Arabia in the upcoming World Cup, a goal the team has yet to achieve. The Saudi Football Federation released a statement on social media, stating: “The Board of Directors of the Saudi Football Federation and national team coach Roberto Mancini have mutually agreed to end their contractual relationship.”
Mancini’s exit comes after a series of disappointing results and increasing disagreements with the federation. The situation escalated further during the recent 0-0 draw against Bahrain, where Mancini was involved in a heated exchange with fans, prompting a frustrated response that signaled the end of his tenure. The backlash on social media for his dismissal was significant. With his departure, Mancini could now become a sought-after figure for clubs in Serie A looking to fill coaching vacancies.
