Saudi Arabia has announced the hiring of renowned Italian coach Roberto Mancini to lead its national team. News sources, including Reuters, report that Mr. Mancini has taken over the Saudi national team with a four-year contract. His annual salary is said to be 25 million euros (about 27 million dollars). Mancini had resigned from his position as head coach of the Italian national team two weeks ago. With Italy, he managed to win the European Championship in 2020, but he failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. In his first match, Mancini will lead Saudi Arabia against Costa Rica on September 8 (Friday, 17 Shahrivar) in a friendly match in Newcastle, England. In his first statement, Mancini said that this contract is a "great opportunity" for him. He stated: "I made history in Europe. Now it's time to make history in Saudi Arabia." Officials and clubs in Saudi Arabia have made extensive investments in football, including the 200 million euro contract of Cristiano Ronaldo for his transfer to Al Nassr in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is one of the main rivals of the Iranian national football team in Asia.
Roberto Mancini Becomes Head Coach of Saudi National Team for Four Years
Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the head coach of the Saudi national football team on a four-year contract worth 25 million euros annually. This move comes after his resignation from the Italian national team, and it highlights Saudi Arabia's significant investment in football as it aims to enhance its international presence.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Saudi Arabia has hired Roberto Mancini as the head coach of its national football team on a lucrative four-year contract. This move follows Mancini's resignation from the Italian national team after a disappointing World Cup qualification.
- Mancini's annual salary is reported to be 25 million euros.
- Saudi Arabia has been heavily investing in football, including high-profile player signings.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Saudi Arabia has been making significant investments in sports, particularly football, as part of its Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying its economy and enhancing its global image. The Iranian national football team is a key competitor in the region.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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