Moved to Saudi Arabia
After the anger surrounding the surprising departure of national coach Roberto Mancini, Italy’s football association is considering legal action against the ex-coach. The responsible body has decided to “instruct an expert to obtain an expert opinion and examine what options there might be for a claim for damages,” said association president Gabriele Gravina on Thursday after a meeting of the association’s national council in Rome.
Mancini unexpectedly submitted his resignation as Italian national coach in mid-August after a good five years and described it as a “personal decision”. His contract ran until 2026. Two weeks later, Mancini moved to Saudi Arabia as national coach, where, according to media reports, he is expected to earn around 25 million euros annually. After Mancini’s resignation, Gravina made serious allegations against the 58-year-old, who led Italy to the European Championship title in 2021.
“I’m bitter. “I was disappointed,” the 69-year-old told “Corriere della Sera”. Mancini’s decision came like a bolt from the blue. The coach had previously accused the association boss of feeling a “lack of trust”. Gravina rejected this. “I never invaded the field, never suggested a player, never asked about the lineup. I don’t deserve words like that,” said Gravina. His trust in Mancini was “total”.
Italy follows Portugal: All European champions at a glance
To home page