Roberto Mancini walks away from Saudi Arabia after 14 months as coach

Roberto Mancini has left his role as head coach of Saudi Arabia just three weeks out from a critical 2026 World Cup qualifier against Australia. Mancini, who won the European Championship as Italy coach in 2021, has left his post by “joint agreement”, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said.

The 59-year-old was hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 – two weeks after he resigned as Italy manager – and led the side to seven wins in 18 matches during an underwhelming 14-month reign.

Related: ‘Unacceptable’: Mancini under fire for walking off before Saudi Arabia’s exit

Saudi Arabia sit outside the automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Japan at home was followed by a goalless draw with Bahrain earlier this month.

The Saudis are third in Group C of Asia’s third round of World Cup qualifiers with five points after four matches. Japan lead the group with 10 points while Australia are ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference.

The top two in each group advance automatically to the World Cup while the third and fourth-placed sides go into another round of qualifiers with the bottom two finishers eliminated.

Australia will host Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on 14 November, with the Saudis then facing Indonesia in Jakarta five days later.

Under Mancini, the Saudis were knocked out of the Asian Cup in the last 16 earlier this year after losing in a penalty shootout to South Korea. The Italian came under fire for walking down the tunnel before South Korea had taken their final penalty and later apologised for his early exit.

“The board of directors of the Saudi Football Federation and the coach of the national team, Roberto Mancini, reached a joint agreement today, which includes the end of the contractual relationship,” the SAFF posted on social media platform X.

The former Internazionale and Manchester City manager has won multiple titles in a decorated career as both player and coach.

As manager of Inter, Mancini won three Italian league titles and went on to win the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012 thanks to Sergio Aguero’s dramatic late goal on the final day of the season.