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Roberto Mancini leaves role as Saudi Arabia head coach after only 14 months with replacement set to be named

World Cup Qualification AFC

Indonesia

Saudi Arabia

<p>Mancini has left his role as the head coach of Saudi Arabia after a 14-month reign. The 58-year-old signed a four-year contract in 2023 but the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has now announced that a "joint agreement" has been reached for him to depart.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In their last five World Cup qualifiers, Saudi Arabia have won just one and are third in qualification Group C. Mancini had earlier voiced some grievances with the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-saudi-arabia-shook-up-football-world/bltb1bff56670a610a5" target="_blank">arrival of high-profile names</a> to the Saudi Pro League and the impact it was having on the development of homegrown players. </p><p>The FA statement confirms that they will appoint Mancini's successor within "the next few days". It is unclear if they will again aim to appoint a big-name import.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The Saudi statement read: "The Board of Directors of the Saudi Football Federation and the coach of the national team, Roberto Mancini, reached a joint agreement today, which includes the end of the contractual relationship."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">— مجلس إدارة الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم ومدرب المنتخب الوطني "روبرتو مانشيني"، يتوصلون اليوم لاتفاق مشترك يتضمن انتهاء العلاقة&nbsp;التعاقدية&nbsp;📝⬇ <a href="https://t.co/tVfVCGpvVi">pic.twitter.com/tVfVCGpvVi</a></p>— المنتخب السعودي (@SaudiNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaudiNT/status/1849494859335205072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT THE SAUDI FA SAID

<p>Saudi Arabia's recent form has left them in dire danger of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, which would be a hammer blow to their reputation as they look to build their status ahead of the 2034 World Cup, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/world-cup-2034-saudi-arabia-blueprint-fifa-finals/blt61704d8f64319752" target="_blank">which they will host</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Roberto Mancini leaves role as Saudi Arabia head coach after only 14 months with replacement set to be named | Goal.com

Roberto Mancini has left his role as Saudi Arabia head coach after just 14 months in the position. 