Roberto Mancini reveals when he started talks with the Saudi Arabia Federation and takes a sideswipe at Serie A clubs. ‘It is good the Saudi clubs need at least three local players in each team, because we do not have that in Italy!’
The coach had been in charge of the Azzurri since May 2018 and went on to win the 2020 European Championship, but his rapport with the FIGC soured after failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Despite that, he had been given extra powers as co-ordinator of the Under-21 and Under-20 teams on August 4, but he seemingly saw that as a way of diluting his staff and if anything a downgrade.
He resigned on August 13 and officially signed on as Saudi Arabia coach on August 27, with a contract to 2027 that is reportedly worth up to €30m per year.
Mancini was in Saudi Arabia this afternoon for a presentation press conference.
“I want to thank the President for choosing me. I am very proud to be here and to start my work,” said the 58-year-old.
The sudden switch makes some believe he resigned with the Saudi job already lined up, but at least some of it was on the hoof, as the make-up of his coaching staff remains up in the air.
“I started talking to the Federation in the middle of August. Naturally, some of my assistants did not know of this situation and they need to resolve their situations in Italy. For the moment we are here, the others will join later. We have enough time to do everything.”
Mancini fully admits he knows little about the Saudi players, but takes the opportunity to aim a sideswipe at Serie A and the large percentage of foreigners at club level.
“I already started watching videos of players over the last 10 days. It is good that the Saudi clubs need at least three local players in each team, because we do not have that in Italy!
“It was really difficult to choose players in Italy and at times we had to pick ones who had never been in Serie A.
“It will take time, but we will work well and know there are many talented players in the Under-21 and youth teams. I am not a magician. We have talent here and will focus on our work.”
The Saudi Pro League has exploded onto the scene with huge fees and salaries tempting players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
“It is positive that these stars arrive, as they will raise the level of the Saudi players too. It happened in Italy many years ago when the first foreign players arrived, they helped raise the level.
“Our aim is to win the Asian Cup.”
Get your money and keep quiet. If it’s like you brought in young talents like Tonali, when he was playing superbly for Milan.
These comments needed to be said. There needs to be a limit on foreign players. We are witnessing the results of it.
Sell-out!! Vergogna!