Ex-Italy boss Roberto Mancini 'in advanced talks to become Saudi Arabia manager'

Roberto Mancini is reportedly in advanced talks to become the new manager of the Saudi Arabia national team.

The 58-year-old surprisingly announced his resignation as Italy boss on Sunday after five years in charge of the Azzurri.

Mancini successfully led Italy to glory at Euro 2020 as well as two third-placed finishes at the UEFA Nations League finals in 2021 and 2023.

The former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss won 39 of his 61 games in charge of Italy, but he has decided to step down from his post due to "personal" reasons.

Mancini's mother Marianna recently acknowledged that she has "no idea" about her son's managerial future after being left 'surprised' by his departure from Italy.

However, Mancini could be in line for a swift return to management as Sky Sports News reports that the Italian is in advanced talks with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation over becoming their new national team manager.

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Mancini is said to be have been identified as Saudi Arabia's number one managerial target since the departure of Herve Renard in March.

Renard led Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they picked up a famous 2-1 group-stage victory over eventual champions Argentina before losing their final two group fixtures against Poland and Mexico.

Saudi-born coach Saad Al Shehri has been in interim charge since Renard's exit, but has lost both of his two friendly games in charge by a 2-1 scoreline against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Mancini could become the latest high-profile name to head over to Saudi Arabia where a plethora of elite players now ply their trade at club level in the Saudi Pro League.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in January, the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino have all swapped European football for the Middle East, and Neymar is set to become the latest star to arrive from Paris Saint-Germain, while Steven Gerrard was recently appointed manager of Al Ettifaq.

Italy, meanwhile, have allegedly identified Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte as their primary candidates to succeed Mancini.