Published: 03:25, 28 Aug 2023
Roberto Mancini is the new head coach of Saudi Arabia. The Middle Eastern country announced this on Sunday evening with a video. The Italian is reportedly signing a four-year contract.
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He led Manchester City to their first English championship in over forty years in 2012 and then achieved legendary status in his homeland by winning the 2021 European Championship with the Azzurri.
He's now leaving that team behind: a few weeks ago, the sudden news emerged that Mancini was stepping down from his position immediately. As it turns out, this was due to interest from the Middle East: the new head coach of Saudi Arabia is reportedly set to receive a regal annual salary of 25 million euros. Net, that is.
Mancini's first international match comes quickly: on September 8th, he will be on the sidelines for the first time with his new team. In Newcastle, where the local club is owned by the Saudis, there will be a match between his team and Costa Rica. In January 2024, the country will host the Asian Cup for the first time, and Mancini's task is to secure the tournament victory for the first time since 1996.
Updated: 03:25, 28 Aug 2023
