- Roberto Mancini left the Saudi Arabia job just a year into his four-year contract
- He joins Jordan Henderson in making a quick exit after seeking Saudi money
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Roberto Mancini’s ‘farewell to the millionaire’ from Saudi Arabia was fueled by ‘many misunderstandings’ and ‘a promised love that never blossomed’, according to detailed reports in Italy.
Former Manchester City manager Mancini, 59, took over the Saudi national team job in August last year but his four-year contract lasted just a year before he left this week.
The Italian, who won the 2020 European Championship with his home country, is expected to earn around £21 million a year.
And reports from Saudi Arabia and Italy now suggest his severance package is between 20 and 25 million euros – tax free.
Today, Gazzetta dello Sport says that Mancini was ‘cold and aloof, with an air of superiority that distanced him from the people’.
Roberto Mancini is said to be ‘cold, distant and with an air of superiority’ in Saudi Arabia
Mancini upset the locals in this year’s Asian Cup, which appears to be the point that led to his downfall as a manager.
During a penalty shoot-out against Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea, which Saudi Arabia would lose, Mancini left before the defeat was even decided and was forced to apologise.
He has followed that up with just five points won from the 12 points available in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
“When a relationship ends, it is always a special moment,” Mancini’s son Andrea told Radio Serie A this week.
Saudi supporters were disappointed with Mancini after his quick exit during the shoot-out
“Those who do this work know it can happen. It was a consensus decision, things don’t always go the way you think. I spoke to him and he is calm. He will probably take some time off, but he wants to come back because he is still young and still has a lot to offer to football.
“He’s sorry, when he decided to go to Arabia, he believed in it, he believed he could do a good job.”
Mancini is not the first cash-rich Saudi import to make a quick exit since the influx of money into the football league over the past two years.
Former England vice-captain Jordan Henderson and ex-Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin are among the players who have turned around to leave Saudi Arabia shortly after signing.
