- Australia has battled in the early stages of qualification
- Saudis have also struggled to nail down a top two spot in their group
- Socceroos opponents have made big call ahead of decisive match
Australia’s World Cup opponents Saudi Arabia have ditched the world’s highest-paid soccer manager Roberto Mancini just three weeks before the crucial qualifying clash with the Socceroos in Melbourne.
The distinguished former Italy boss Mancini, who was only 14 months into a four-year deal reportedly worth $A150 million, has paid the price for the Saudis’ series of unconvincing performances which has left them battling for a top-two qualification spot in group C – just like Australia – that will seal their finals place.
A statement from from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) on Thursday said the 59-year-old had left his role as coach of Saudi Arabia after his contract was ended by mutual agreement.
The disruption is hardly ideal for the Saudis, who are currently locked on five points alongside Australia and Bahrain in group C five points behind runaway leaders Japan, as they prepare for the AAMI Park clash on November 14.
Saudi Arabia has parted ways with distinguished former Italy boss Roberto Mancini
The move to change coach comes just three weeks before the Saudis clash against the Socceroos in Melbourne
Mancini’s reign, which began in August last year when he replaced Herve Renard, has been a turbulent one, with his paymasters none too pleased when 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.
Mancini did not endear himself to the fans when he disappeared down the tunnel even before the shootout had finished, and he ended up having to apologise.
On the eve of Saudis’ opening Asian Cup match, he had also claimed three players had been dropped because they wanted to pick and choose which games to play. These were allegations that players denied strongly.
He then constantly complained how home-grown strikers couldn’t get enough playing time in the Saudi Pro League because there were so many big name imports from Europe.
Things have only worsened during their World Cup campaign, having lost 2-0 at home to Japan two weeks ago before being held to a scoreless draw by Bahrain five days later, a match which ended with the former Manchester City boss arguing with a group of unhappy supporters before later criticising his players.
Mancini departs after winning just seven of his 18 matches in charge, losing six and drawing five.
Australia have yet to play the Saudis yet during the group stages, with their return clash in Riyadh a potentially pivotal one coming in the last round of matches in June 2025.
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