Roberto Mancini may not be the fanciest of names as far as soccer managers are concerned, but the Italian will go down in the competition’s history for at least one feat – winning Manchester City’s first Premier League title since 1968. It remains the most intense title race in the Leauge’s history, after Mancini’s side pipped Ferguson’s Manchester United to the title on goal difference, courtesy of Aguero’s goal.
Roberto Mancini has been away from the spotlight since leaving Manchester City, going on to coach the likes of Inter Milan (for the second time), Galatasaray, Zenith St. Petersburg, and his country’s national team. He led Italy to their second EURO title in 2021 after beating England on penalties.
Former Italy coach Roberto Mancini to coach the Saudi Arabian national team
Despite his austere demeanor, Roberto Mancini is still one of the most decorated managers of his generation, known for his achievements at Inter Milan, Manchester City, and the Italy national team. His reputation in Europe seems to have earned him a bumper contract with the Saudi Arabian national team, as the Italian will now coach the Middle Eastern country.
Saudi clubs have been making waves with their lavish spending on some of the world’s brightest footballers this summer, managing to tempt the likes of Neymar, Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Jordan Henderson (all Champions League winners) to the Gulf nation.
Their cherry-picking hasn’t been limited to soccer players, as they’ve also managed to land several world-class managers to the league, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Steven Gerrard now coaches of Saudi clubs.
The country has now taken things to a new level with the appointment of Roberto Mancini, sending the rest of the world a strong message. Allegedly, the previous motivation behind the poking of the most famous names in soccer was to help make Saudi’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup more appealing, but the country has reportedly pulled out of the race, although no official statement has been made on the matter.
Mancini’s Saudi Arabia deal offers $27 million yearly salary
The Saudis have been able to prize away some of the world’s best soccer players to the country, with Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema all joining the league in the past six months.
According to Apex Football, former Italy manager Roberto Mancini will earn $27 million yearly to manage the Saudi Arabia national team, the most of any manager coaching a national team worldwide.
Can Mancini make a difference in Saudi Arabia? What is your take? Let’s discuss below!
