Roberto Mancini firmly denied the accusations of interference he received during his time as head coach of the Saudi Arabian national football team. The Italian coach, who left the position on October 24, dismissed the rumors in a social media post.
A Short and Controversial Journey
Mancini took over the Saudi national team in August 2023, succeeding Hervé Renard. However, his tenure ended prematurely after just 14 months. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia faced an early exit from the Asian Cup in the Round of 16, losing in a penalty shootout to South Korea.
In a post on the X platform, Mancini stated:
“Throughout my career, there has never been any interference in player selection. I am satisfied with my experience and the work done in Saudi Arabia. Some media should focus on their own teams and stop spreading rumors about me and the Saudi team.”
The Current Context of Saudi Arabia
Currently, Saudi Arabia is participating in the Arab Gulf Cup and is in second place in Group B with three points, three points behind leaders Bahrain, who have already secured a spot in the semifinals with a game in hand.
Saudi Arabia’s next match will be against Iraq, who also have three points, in a direct clash to secure a spot in the tournament’s semifinals.
An Ambitious Goal for the Future
The Saudi Kingdom continues to aim high in the international football landscape, having been chosen as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup, an event that will mark a milestone for the growth of football in the region.