Roberto Mancini is on the verge of agreeing a massive £77million deal to become Saudi Arabia manager, according to reports.
Mancini resigned as Italy boss on August 13 after five years in charge of the Azzurri, with former Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti revealed as his replacement.
During his time as Italy boss Mancini won Euro 2020 and also finished in third place in the Nations League on two occasions.
And according to Sky Sports, the 58-year-old is in advanced talks to take over the Gulf state's men's national team ahead of the Asian Cup in January. He could bring Andrea Gagliardi and Lele Oriali with him.
He is believed to be the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's first choice for the role, with Sky reporting the contract offered to him would be worth £77m over three years in a deal which would take him up to the 2026 World Cup, which Saudi hopes to host.
After his exit was announced, the Italian FA said in a statement: 'The Italian Football Federation announces that it has taken note of the resignation of Roberto Mancini from the position of coach of the Italian national team, received late yesterday evening.
'Thus concludes a significant page in the history of the Azzurri, which began in May 2018 and concluded with the 2023 Nations League Finals.
'In between, the victory at Euro 2020, a triumph conquered by a group in which all the individuals have known how to become a team.'
Saudi Arabia Under 23 coach Saad Al-Shehri is currently in interim charge of the senior side, who have been without a permanent coach since Herve Renard left in March.
Saudi Arabia qualified for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but went out in the group stages on both occasions. They did, however, beat eventual winners Argentina, boasting Lionel Messi, 2-1 in the group stage in Qatar last year.
Mancini could become the latest high-profile figure to head to Saudi Arabia.
A host of players are now playing club football in the country, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante, while Neymar is set to join Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain.
During a lengthy and stellar managerial career Mancini has taken charge of Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Galatasaray, Inter Milan and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Vinbcepuz
0
U must have been among the committee members that shared this during the meeting! The way u put it down, is beyond your own perception! Crazy. How about Saudi developing their talent to be among the Arab giants in soccer?
They don't think it the ways you thought. What they want is to let people knows that there country is welcome to everyone. can you not see the privilege they give to some Star ⭐⭐⭐ players. They said they can drink and have some girls in there compound, which they don't allow to others people's. just think about this. They're doing this to attract people's to there region.
Barlus
1
which team in saudi
duabnsty
0
There's no Ronaldo effect here, they go there for the money, no team in Europe can give Mancini this kind of cash
Bob_Rogers
0
ronaldo open the door for many quality player who are frustrated by no game time are now going to saudi . even manager
[image]
Surely money is the bigger factor? Ronaldo going there must've woke the other teams up. I'd say it's an indirect effect by him.
Bob_Rogers
0
I can see what Saudi Arabia is planning. They want all players and coaches to come over there so they can vote for them to win the race to host the world cup. that's why they even give some of there clubs money to buy players. That's good idea.
Yes. That's definitely one of the things they're trying. Buying big players so you can increase your chances of holding a world cup? Seems very likely imo.
Monbiknsu
0
I can see what Saudi Arabia is planning. They want all players and coaches to come over there so they can vote for them to win the race to host the world cup. that's why they even give some of there clubs money to buy players. That's good idea.
U must have been among the committee members that shared this during the meeting! The way u put it down, is beyond your own perception! Crazy. How about Saudi developing their talent to be among the Arab giants in soccer?
ManCityFanForever
0
He must go to Bayern
maturidikxith
0
Every time Ronaldo opened doors bluh bluh . stop it. it's the Saudi money at work . I don't think they go there for free or in the cheap payments. it's mega money just . to Hell with your flop
stop this hate😯
Vinbcepuz
1
I can see what Saudi Arabia is planning. They want all players and coaches to come over there so they can vote for them to win the race to host the world cup. that's why they even give some of there clubs money to buy players. That's good idea.
gandie
1
the goat effect
JamesCallagher
3
oil money is better than blood money 🤑💰💰🤑
Moohmoga
0
was Ronaldo the first player from Europe to go to Saudi? many have been there before him
but nothing happened until he was there believe it or not Ronaldo is a big influence in world football dude
Lowaelprty
1
I have started packing my bags for Saudi Arabia since that is where money is.
wowadeku
1
Can the world can't just go to Saudi Arabia?? 🙄🙄
lepabkmoy
0
ronaldo open the door for many quality player who are frustrated by no game time are now going to saudi . even manager
[image]
Every time Ronaldo opened doors bluh bluh . stop it. it's the Saudi money at work . I don't think they go there for free or in the cheap payments. it's mega money just . to Hell with your flop
YNC
1
Nice move! God bless Saudi Arabia, God bless Mancini. whosoever want to cry because of this move should better start crying and keep crying till Jesus comes. They overhype Europe as if it is where the world ends. Our motive of living is to survive and there should be no boarder to where you can earn your money. Rome wasn't built in a day just like Europe wasn't as well. I believe Saudi too is Building to become one of the greatest force among football nations. Whosoever that criticizes them is an Enemy of progress and a Racist. Such person is not worthy of living among humans.
who asked for your explanation
maturidikxith
4
ronaldo open the door for many quality player who are frustrated by no game time are now going to saudi . even manager
Hukabimnst
0
thanks so much Ronaldo for your great impact so far
was Ronaldo the first player from Europe to go to Saudi? many have been there before him
Zegliwegli
2
Guardiola and Klopp loading
Livingstone4u
3
Nice move! God bless Saudi Arabia, God bless Mancini. whosoever want to cry because of this move should better start crying and keep crying till Jesus comes. They overhype Europe as if it is where the world ends. Our motive of living is to survive and there should be no boarder to where you can earn your money. Rome wasn't built in a day just like Europe wasn't as well. I believe Saudi too is Building to become one of the greatest force among football nations. Whosoever that criticizes them is an Enemy of progress and a Racist. Such person is not worthy of living among humans.
totbklnp
4
thanks so much Ronaldo for your great impact so far