Mancini takes over as coach of Qatar's Al-Sadd
The president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser al-Misehal (L) and newly appointed Italian coach of the Saudi national football team, Roberto Mancini, sign a contract at a press conference and signing ceremony in Riyadh, on August 28, 2023. Mancini was on August 27 named as the new coach of the Saudi Arabia national team on a deal reported to be worth more than $25 million a year after he controversially quit the Italy job earlier this month. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
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"Roberto Mancini has signed as Al-Sadd's coach for 2.5 seasons," the club posted on social media, alongside photos of Mancini, with pen in hand and also holding a club shirt with his name on the back.
"Benvenuto Signor Mancini," posted the club, which gave no financial details about the deal, using the Italian word for "welcome".
The 60-year-old, a former striker, has led Inter Milan and Manchester City to domestic league titles and guided Italy to the Euro 2020 crown -- played in 2021 -- during his career.
His last coaching position was in charge of the Saudi Arabian national team from August 2023 until October 2024.
At Al-Sadd, Mancini replaced Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, who led the club to a record 18th Qatari league title and also a domestic cup triumph last season, but was fired in October.
After nine rounds of matches, Al-Sadd are sixth in the 12-team Qatar Stars League, eight points behind leaders Al Gharafa.
They are 10th in the 12-team Asian Champions League Elite western group, five points off of eighth, the last qualifying place for the knock-out rounds.
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