Tag: Departs

Roberto Mancini coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Asian 3rd Qualifier Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at King Abdullah Sports City on October 15, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Just before full time in Saudi Arabia’s 0-0 draw with Bahrain in a vital 2026 World Cup qualifier earlier this month, fans in Jeddah started to hold up phones with Roberto Mancini’s face on the screen with “out” written below. There was lengthier communication after the match as the Italian exchanged gestures with supporters behind the dugout and, as he exited the pitch at the King Abdullah Sports City, it was pretty clear that Mancini would not be coming back. The 59 year-old was seemingly an upgrade on his predecessor, Hervé Renard. There was the same European sophistication a...