Questions have already begun to arise as to where Roberto Mancini could go next following the news of his resignation from the Italy national team on Sunday afternoon.
While the reasons for his departure are still unclear, Mancini now has plenty of possibilities to choose from in terms of his next steps.
The Serie A, Premier League and EURO 2020-winning coach is now available for new opportunities for the first time since 2017, having been appointed as CT in March 2018 and having spent the year prior as coach of Zenit St. Petersburg.
In fact, Mancini has only taken one full year out of coaching since he was appointed as Manchester City coach in 2009.
For that reason, and on top of a rollercoaster few years with Italy, Calciomercato.com believes that a sabbatical year could be on the cards for the 58-year-old.
That is effectively one of two options. Mancini could take a mental break to unwind from the pressure and stress of being a national team head coach, or he could throw himself immediately back into club management.
Calciomercato writes that it is not impossible that Mancini could return to the Premier League one day, or perhaps he could wait for an opportunity to crop in Serie A.
Then there is the Saudi idea. The PIF intends not only to bring world class players to the Saudi Pro league, but also to inspire a movement of football across the country and to make football in Saudi Arabia as competitive as it is in other areas of the world.
Therefore, Calciomercato writes, Mancini could be considered for a commissioner-style role, to help with the development of the league and football in Saudi Arabia in general.