Saudi Arabia, Mancini Reach Mutual Agreement To Part Ways

October 24, (THEWILL) – Roberto Mancini’s tenure with the Saudi Arabia national football team concluded on Thursday, following mutual agreement to terminate his contract. The decision comes after 14 months at the helm, during which the Italian manager recorded seven victories, six losses, and five draws.

The Saudi Football Federation confirmed the departure through an official statement, indicating that Mancini’s replacement would be announced in the coming days. The former Italy national team manager, who guided his homeland to European Championship glory in 2020, faced mounting pressure after recent disappointing results.

The decisive factors leading to this decision included a home defeat against Japan and an underwhelming draw with Bahrain in the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. These outcomes prompted discussions between the federation and Mancini regarding his position, according to sources within the organisation.

Internal sources revealed that negotiations regarding Mancini’s contract termination began following the Japan match. The situation proved complex due to the substantial nature of his contract and Mancini’s belief that he deserved additional time to implement his vision for the team.

The federation cited recent performances and results below expectations among the primary reasons for the change in leadership. This marks the end of Mancini’s brief spell with the Green Falcons, following his previous achievements with Manchester City and Inter Milan.