The reason is said to be weak results lately. Saudi Arabia had to settle for 0–0 against Bahrain last week and shortly before that, they suffered a 0–2 home defeat against Japan in the Asian World Championship qualifiers.
When Saudi Arabia was eliminated in the round of 16 in the Asian Championships earlier this year, Mancini created a controversy. He left the pitch before the penalty shootout against South Korea, which Saudi Arabia lost, was over and later apologized for his actions.
Mancini quit his job as the national team coach of Italy in the summer of 2023 – something he received criticism for. Not least when it emerged that the reason was a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Two weeks later, he was presented as the national team coach in the oil-rich country. Mancini signed a four-year contract and his annual salary was reportedly around 300 million kronor, but after 14 months, his time as national team coach is over.
