Roberto Mancini admitted that he regretted resigning from the Italian national team and choosing to coach Saudi Arabia.
Mancini was actually still under contract with the Italian national team until July 31, 2026. However, he decided to resign from the coaching position in mid-August 2023.
A disharmonious relationship with the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriela Gravina, was the reason Mancini made an emotional decision to leave Italy.
A few days after announcing his resignation from the Italian national team, Mancini was officially appointed as the coach of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the former Inter Milan and Manchester City coach failed to improve the performance of the Green Falcons.
Mancini was finally fired shortly after Saudi Arabia was held to a draw by the Indonesian national team in Jeddah. Now, the 60-year-old coach regrets his decision.
“Personally, even though it didn’t go as expected, I feel satisfied. I worked well with the team.”
“Everyone followed me and I think I left them a good foundation to build something positive. The relationship with the federation was also good. There was always great availability and collaboration,” said Mancini.
Unfortunately, Mancini’s career as coach of the Saudi Arabian national team did not last long. His contract was terminated after failing to win against Indonesia in the first match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Mancini also denied that his reason for accepting the offer to coach Saudi Arabia was solely because of the exorbitant salary.
“I do not deny that, for a coach, an offer with such a high amount, puts you in a dilemma. However, it is not decisive. It had an impact, but that was not the only reason I left the Italian national team bench,” Mancini told Il Giornale.
“No, I would not do it again. Have you ever regretted a bad choice? Yes, leaving the Italian national team was a bad choice that I would not do again,” Mancini explained.
Image source: bisik.id
