Deal before closing
The rumors about an engagement in Saudi Arabia that were circulated in the course of his resignation from the post of the Italian national coach are apparently taking concrete form with Roberto Mancini. According to reports from Italy, the 58-year-old has verbally promised the Saudi federation a commitment as head coach until the 2026 World Cup, with official implementation expected shortly.
The newspaper first reportedGazzetta dello Sport“. As national coach in the desert state, Mancini is said to earn around ten times the salary he previously earned with the “Squadra Azzurra”. The latter was reportedly three million euros per year, the offer from Saudi Arabia amounts to a sum of between 25 and 30 million euros according to unanimous reports. Mancini is taking a large part of his staff with him, it is said.
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After Mancini’s resignation: Association President Gravina fights back
The 2021 European champions took over Italy from interim coach Luigi Di Biagio in May 2018 after Gian Piero Ventura failed to qualify for the World Cup. With an average of 2.13 points in 61 games, Mancini has the best record since Marcello Lippi (2.17), who led Italy to the World Cup title in 2006 (see coaching history). Last year, the 58-year-old suffered a bitter disappointment, just like his predecessor: in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup, the four-time champion lost to North Macedonia (0-1).
The Italian association president Gabriele Gravina meanwhile defended himself against Mancini’s public allegations that he had wanted to influence his line-up in the past and had shown no respect for his decision to resign. “I never talked him into it or recommended that he nominate this or that player. Unlike other presidents, I’ve never been on the field either. I didn’t deserve these accusations,” Gravina told Corriere della Sera (quoted via “DAZN“).
Mancini’s statements were “very offensive allegations against me,” the Italy boss continued. “I gave him a contract until 2026. And made him the coordinator of the U20s and U21s. How can he say I didn’t trust him? I really wonder why he said such things. Roberto knows full well that the opposite is the case. His reasoning is very weak.”
Mancini’s resignation was “a bolt from the blue” for him: “He never told me that he wanted to stop. I found out from his lawyer and his wife that he wanted to resign. I don’t hold grudges, but the timing of this divorce baffles me. After everything we have personally experienced together, I would have expected more from him. He should have looked me in the eye when he resigned.”
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