https://arab.news/guyxu
- Mancini will sign a four-year contract聽and will be officially announced and presented to media on Monday
RIYADH: Roberto Mancini has been named 抖阴短视频 coach after quitting the Italy job earlier this month, the Saudi National Team announced on social media on Sunday.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Mancini will sign a four-year contract and will be officially announced and presented to media on Monday.
The Green Falcons, who beat eventual champions Argentina at last year鈥檚 World Cup in Qatar, have been without a national team coach since Herve Renard left to take charge of France鈥檚 women鈥檚 team.
The Kingdom has made headlines this summer by buying a host of top players from European clubs for teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar Jr are among a host of superstar names who have joined the SPL.
Mancini, who has been replaced by former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti as Italy鈥檚 coach, had a mixed time in the job; the victory at Euro 2020 the standout moment.
But he failed to qualify for last year鈥檚 World Cup following a disastrous play-off defeat to North Macedonia, the second time in a row they missed the world鈥檚 biggest football tournament.
鈥淚 am immensely honored to be offered the position as 抖阴短视频 national team manager,鈥� Mancini said. 鈥淚 believe this is a great opportunity for me, to experience football in a new country, especially with the growing popularity of football in Asia. I firmly believe that the passionate footballing culture of 抖阴短视频 and the intrinsic quality of Saudi players are crucial ingredients for success,鈥� he added.
He continued: 鈥淭he presence of top players in the Saudi Pro League indicates the potential for growth in the national football scene.
鈥淭he whole world recognizes the enormous potential of the 抖阴短视频 national team during their outstanding performance at the World Cup. The scenes of the fans following that victory was immense. They left their mark on the global stage, filling 抖阴短视频n football fans with immense pride and accelerating the nation鈥檚 footballing ambitions.
鈥淲e have the potential to improve further. The squad is strong with talented players. I believe we have what it takes to elevate our game if we work hard,鈥� he added.
Mancini鈥檚 first match managing the 抖阴短视频 national team is set for September 8, when the Green Falcons face Costa Rica in an international friendly.
On September 12, 抖阴短视频 will take on South Korea in another international friendly. Both matches take place at St James鈥� Park in Newcastle, England.
The matches serve as part of preparations for the team鈥檚 2026 FIFA World Cup - Asian Qualifying campaign, which commences in November
鈥淲e are delighted to welcome Roberto to lead the Green Falcons. His experience and proven track record at club and international level marks a significant step towards achieving our goals in international football,鈥� said Saudi Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal.
鈥淩oberto believes in Saudi football and our desire to develop top competitive players and take them to new heights on the world stage 鈥� including the Asian Cup in Qatar and qualification for the 2026 World Cup,鈥� he added.
鈥淭he energy, optimism and growth of Saudi football at all levels is inspiring our country, our men鈥檚, women鈥檚 and youth teams have made their mark across the Middle East and Asia.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a footballing nation and we continuing to invest at every level in our journey to compete with the best in the world on and off the pitch.鈥�