Roberto Mancini likely to be next Saudi Arabia coach: Report

Italy’s Roberto Mancini has quit as coach of his country’s football team and could take over as manager of Saudi Arabia’s national squad, according to Arabic-language sports daily Arriyadiyah.

The news outlet quotes unnamed sources as saying that Mancini, 58, would likely take up the role vacated by Frenchman Herve Renard — who has not been replaced by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation since his departure in March — and is now manager of his nation’s women’s team.

Last night the Italian Football Federation announced Mancini’s resignation.

The former Sampdoria player led his country to the Euro 2020 title after beating England on penalties at Wembley.

If confirmed, Mancini would become the 49th coach of the Saudi national team, the 19th European and the first Italian.

The first order of business for the coach would be the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, starting in November, in which Saudi Arabia will take on Jordan, Tajikistan, and either Cambodia or Pakistan.