Mancini quits Saudi Arabia after two months as Italy reunion beckons

Roberto Mancini has terminated his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Sadd after just two months, clearing the path for a sensational return to the Italy national team he abandoned for Middle Eastern riches in August 2023.

The 60-year-old walked away from the Azzurri job 14 months ago for a reported €20 million per year Saudi payday, leaving Italy scrambling to rebuild after their Euro 2020 triumph. Now, with Luciano Spalletti's position untenable following poor Nations League results, both parties find themselves needing each other again.

The Saudi experiment ends: Why Mancini's Middle East adventure failed

Mancini's Saudi Arabian venture lasted precisely 67 days. The Italian joined Al Sadd in October 2024, but the marriage between European tactical sophistication and Saudi football reality proved incompatible from the start.

Cultural and tactical disconnect

Sources close to Al Sadd suggest Mancini struggled to implement his methodical approach in the Saudi Pro League environment. The former Manchester City boss, accustomed to working with elite European professionals, found the adjustment to Middle Eastern football culture more challenging than anticipated.

His predecessor at Italy, Luciano Spalletti, ironically faces his own exit after just 14 months in charge. Italy's Nations League campaign under Spalletti yielded mixed results, with the team failing to recapture the cohesion that characterised Mancini's Euro 2020 winners.

Financial reality versus football ambition

The Saudi Pro League's aggressive recruitment of European coaches has seen several high-profile failures. Mancini joins a growing list of managers who discovered that astronomical salaries cannot compensate for the vast differences in football infrastructure and player quality.

The project was not what I expected. Sometimes in football, you must be honest about when something is not working.

While Mancini hasn't publicly commented on his Al Sadd exit, Italian media report he forfeited substantial compensation to secure his release, suggesting a desperate desire to return to European football.

Italy's managerial merry-go-round: From hero to villain to saviour?

Mancini's potential return represents one of football's most awkward reunions. The man who delivered Italy's first major trophy since 2006 became public enemy number one when he quit for Saudi money just as World Cup 2026 qualification loomed.

The Spalletti experiment fails

Italy's post-Mancini era under Spalletti never truly began. The former Napoli boss inherited a squad in transition and struggled to impose his philosophy. Recent Nations League performances, including a 3-1 defeat to France, have reportedly convinced FIGC president Gabriele Gravina that change is necessary.

• Spalletti's Italy won just 54% of matches (7 wins in 13 games)
• The Azzurri scored only 16 goals under his management
• Italy finished third in their Nations League group
• Key players like Chiesa and Barella publicly questioned tactical approaches

Pragmatism over principle

The Italian Football Federation faces a stark choice: swallow their pride and rehire the manager who abandoned them, or risk World Cup 2026 qualification with another untested appointment. Sources within FIGC suggest pragmatism is winning.

Mancini's Euro 2020 success buys him credit despite his mercenary exit. He knows the current player pool, having blooded youngsters like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Federico Chiesa. More importantly, he understands Italian football's unique pressures.

Sometimes in football, you go backwards to move forwards. Italy need stability, not revolution.

What this means for Italy's World Cup 2026 qualification hopes

Italy cannot afford another World Cup absence. Missing Qatar 2022 was a national trauma; failing to reach the expanded 48-team tournament in North America would be catastrophic for Italian football's credibility.

Immediate challenges ahead

World Cup 2026 European qualification begins in March 2025. Italy need a manager who can hit the ground running, making Mancini's familiarity with the squad invaluable. The draw on 13 December will determine Italy's path, but regardless of opponents, the Azzurri need stability.

Key decisions await on ageing stars like Ciro Immobile (34) and Marco Verratti (32), while emerging talents including Destiny Udogie and Giorgio Scalvini require careful integration.

The trust question

Mancini must rebuild relationships with players who felt betrayed by his Saudi departure. Captain Donnarumma reportedly led dressing room criticism of Mancini's exit timing. The manager will need to prove his commitment extends beyond the next lucrative offer.

• Italy have 16 qualifying matches to secure World Cup placement
• European qualifying offers 16 direct spots for 54 teams
• The Azzurri haven't missed consecutive World Cups since 1958

What happens next

Spalletti's exit could be confirmed within days, with Italy's friendly against Germany on 20 November potentially marking his farewell. Mancini remains in Italy following his Al Sadd departure, with intermediaries already discussing terms with FIGC.

The financial details will prove crucial. Mancini earned €3 million annually in his previous Italy stint compared to his reported €20 million Saudi package. Sources suggest he's willing to accept €5 million per year, demonstrating newfound realism about his market value.

For Italy, the choice is simple: embrace an imperfect solution or risk another failed experiment. In modern football's mercenary landscape, sometimes yesterday's villain becomes tomorrow's necessity.