The news of the resignation from Italy has angered the fans. The Saudi federation had received Mourinho’s rejection, quickly shifting its focus to our National Team coach, who consequently terminated his agreement with the National Team.
Yesterday in Saudi Arabia, there were constant talks about three individuals in the football sphere.
First: Cristiano Ronaldo. Expectedly so, following his performance in the final of the Arab Champions League, the eternal Portuguese king.
Then Neymar, also fairly evident due to the market excitement: the Brazilian is about to arrive in Riyadh to join Al Hilal.
However, the surprise intruder was Roberto Mancini. The news of his resignation from the Italian national team ignited something that had been rumoured in the Riyadh media for a while. After facing Jose Mourinho’s refusal, SAFF, the local Football Federation decisively turned to Mancini.
A lucrative three-year contract worth 40 million per season awaits him, and a swift conclusion is expected, possibly within the next 48 hours.
It’s a prestigious name to lead the Saudi Arabian football, aligning with the surge of the Saudi Pro League.
STRONG FEDERATION — If Mancini signs, he will find a strong and stable federation with good ideas and an ambitious plan to revitalize local football, which was launched two years ago and is in full swing.
It is led by Yasser Al Misehal, elected in 2019 and reelected in 2023. A charismatic figure and an authentic leader with excellent ideas.
Among other initiatives, the SAFF has established its own football school in Barcelona, sending its best young talents to study and grow by competing against high-level European opponents.
WORLD CUP AND ASIAN CUP — Mancini is expected to make his debut in September in a friendly match against South Korea, followed by the first official games on the road to the 2026 World Cup in November: a match against the winner of the Cambodia-Palestine playoff, and then against Jordan. The group also includes Tajikistan, with the top two teams advancing.
Then in January, the stakes rise further: the Asian Cup is held in Qatar, and fans absolutely want to bring it home. Saudi Arabia is in a group with Oman, Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan. After that, more World Cup qualifiers are scheduled in March and June.
