Coach brutally honest

Mancini: “I wouldn’t do it again!”

Italy's European champion coach Robert Mancini regrets his move to Saudi Arabia. The star coach is brutally honest: "I wouldn't make this decision again."

Mancini won the European Championship with Italy in 2021 before surprisingly stepping down as coach of the "Squadra Azzurra" in 2023 - and taking over the Saudi Arabian national team. A step that the 60-year-old would not take again today. 

"For technical reasons, for footballing reasons, coaching the Italian national team is the highest level of coaching. It's a role that I really appreciate," Mancini told the news portal TG1. "No, I wouldn't choose the same path again."

20 million euros 
Or was the move to the desert just about the money? According to reports, the coach is said to have pocketed 20 million euros in compensation. Mancini refuted the rumors at the time. Today he says: "My story speaks for itself. Those who are not familiar with my career can take a look back and then form their own opinions."

One thing is certain: After seven wins, five draws and six defeats, it was already over in Saudi Arabia after less than 14 months. Mancini on the separation in October: "Both sides were unhappy."