Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini will be the new coach of the Saudi Arabia national team, Ansa disclosed.
Mancini will travel to Riyadh on Monday for a presentation. According to Italian media, he will sign a deal until 2027 worth 25 million euros ($27 million) net per year and will make his debut on the bench against Costa Rica on September 8.
Former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti took over as Italy manager after Roberto stepped down. Mancini stepped down on August 13, completing a five-year tenure as coach of the national team, which won the European Championship but failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Herve Renard, a Frenchman, resigned as Saudi Arabia’s coach in March. The squad will compete for their fourth Asian Cup title at the continental tournament, which will be hosted in Qatar early next year.
The country is investing considerably in its top-tier football league.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has unveiled a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project featuring league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal, as well as a slew of elite players.
