Roberto Mancini has stepped down from his position as head coach of Saudi Arabia, just three weeks before a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Australia. Mancini, who led Italy to victory in the 2021 European Championship, has departed by "mutual consent," according to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
The 59-year-old was appointed by Saudi Arabia in August 2023, two weeks after resigning as Italy's manager. During his 14-month tenure, he guided the team to seven wins in 18 matches, a record that fell short of expectations. Saudi Arabia currently sits outside the automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup, following a 2-0 home defeat to Japan and a goalless draw with Bahrain earlier this month.
The Saudis are in third place in Group C of Asia's third round of World Cup qualifiers, with five points from four matches. Japan leads the group with 10 points, while Australia is ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference. The top two teams in each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will enter another round of qualifiers, with the bottom two teams being eliminated.
Australia will host Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on November 14, with the Saudis then facing Indonesia in Jakarta five days later. Under Mancini's leadership, Saudi Arabia was eliminated from the Asian Cup in the round of 16 earlier this year after losing a penalty shootout to South Korea. The Italian coach faced criticism for leaving the tunnel before South Korea had taken their final penalty and later apologized for his premature exit.
"The board of directors of the Saudi Football Federation and the coach of the national team, Roberto Mancini, have reached a mutual agreement today, which includes the termination of the contractual relationship," the SAFF announced on the social media platform X. Mancini, a former player and manager, has enjoyed a successful career, winning multiple titles with clubs like Internazionale and Manchester City.
As manager of Inter, Mancini secured three Italian league titles and later won the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012, thanks to Sergio Aguero's dramatic late goal on the final day of the season.
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