Roberto Mancini named new Saudi Arabia manager
Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti took over as Italy manager after Mancini quit on August 13, following a five-year tenure in which the team won the European Championship but failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Herve Renard, a Frenchman, resigned down as Saudi Arabia’s coach in March. The team will compete for a fourth Asian Cup title at the continental championship, which will be contested in Qatar early next year.
Saudi Arabia were eliminated from the World Cup group stage in Qatar last year, but only after pulling off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating eventual champions Argentina in their opening game.
After being chosen the new head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team by the country’s football organisation on Sunday, former Italy manager Roberto Mancini stated he wants to make history.
The Saudi FA provided no additional information, but Italian media stated Mancini would go to Riyadh on Monday to attend a presentation ceremony and sign a deal worth €25 million ($27 million) net per year until 2027. He will make his managerial debut against Costa Rica on September 8.
