Roberto Mancini’s ‘millionaire farewell’ from Saudi Arabia was sparked by ‘many misunderstandings’ and ‘a promised love that never blossomed’, according to detailed reports in Italy.
Former Manchester City manager Mancini, 59, took the Saudi national team job in August of last year but his four-year contract lasted just a year before he departed this week.
The Italian, who won Euro 2020 with his home nation, was understood to be earning around £21million per year.
And reports from Saudi and Italy have now revealed his severance pay-out to be between €20m (£16.7m) and €25m (£20.8m) – tax-free.
Today, Gazzetta dello Sport say Mancini was ‘cold, detached, with an air of superiority that distanced him from the people’.
Roberto Mancini was said to be ‘cold, detached, with an air of superiority’ in Saudi Arabia
Mancini upset the locals at this year’s Asian Cup, which appears to be the point that led to his downfall as manager.
During a penalty shoot-out against Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea, which Saudi Arabia would go on to lose, Mancini left before the defeat was even decided and was forced to apologise.
He has followed that with just five points won from 12 available in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
‘When a relationship ends it’s always a special moment,’ Mancini’s son Andrea told Radio Serie A this week.
Saudi supporters were disappointed with Mancini after his swift exit during the shoot-out
‘Those who do this job know that it can happen. It was a consensual decision, things don’t always go as you think. I spoke to him and he’s calm, he’ll probably take some time off, but he’s eager to come back because he’s still young and still has a lot to give to football.
‘He’s sorry, when he decided to go to Arabia he believed in it, he believed he could do a good job.’
Mancini is not the first big-money Saudi import to have swiftly departed since the influx of money into their football league during the last two years.
Former England vice-captain Jordan Henderson and ex-Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin are among players who have u-turned to leave Saudi shortly after signing.
