Last year, Roberto Mancini left the Italian national team to sign a fabulous contract with the Saudi Arabian federation. The 59-year-old technician became the best-paid coach in the world 14 months ago, being paid 30 million euros for each of the 4 years he spent on the bench of the Arab national team.
Roberto Mancini had signed until 2027 with the Saudis. Facebook photo
But the Italian was sacked after Saudi Arabia are in danger of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, finishing third in the qualifiers behind Japan and Australia. Roberto Mancini has ticked off 18 matches as manager of the Saudis, winning 7, drawing 5 and losing 6.
It was too little for the officials of the Federation, and for the supporters with whom he contracted several times, so that the termination of the agreement of 30 million euros per year was announced on Thursday evening.
The Arabs are trying to convince Zinedine Zidane
In his place, the Sheikhs want to bring Zinedine Zidane, writes Corriere della Sera. The technician who has not trained anyone since 2021, since he parted ways with Real Madrid, is the “dream solution” of the Saudi Football Association for the position of head coach of the national team.
