Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is named as one of the candidates to replace Roberto Mancini as the ambassador head coach of the Saudi Arabian national team.
Other likely successors to the Italian specialist include Argentine Ramon Diaz (current coach of Corinthians) and Frenchman Herve Renard, who has previously worked with the Saudi national team and led it to the 2022 World Cup.
It is reported that Mancini's days at the helm of the Green Falcons are coming to an end. Under his leadership, the Saudi national team had an unsuccessful start in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. In addition, the Italian got into a scandal, first insulting a fan and then sharply answering a Japanese journalist's question about Roberto's salary.
According to information, the Asian country's state television has already reported that the federation is negotiating the termination of the contract with Mancini.
Zidane began his coaching career at Real Madrid. From 2016 to 2021 (with a break), he was the head coach of the Blancos - 11 trophies in four and a half years, including three consecutive Champions League victories. In June 2021, the Frenchman resigned as head coach of Real Madrid and has been out of work since then.
In October 2022, Zidane announced his readiness to return to coaching. In December this year, it was reported that Zidane could replace Deschamps after the 2022 World Cup. However, the current coach of Le Blanc, who took a break for reflection after the defeat of Argentina in the final of the World Cup, remained at the helm of the national team, extending his contract with the French Football Federation.
At one time, Zidane was unsuccessfully “wooed” by MU, Bayern Munich, PSG, as well as the national teams of Germany and Algeria. Zidane has repeatedly stated that his priority among the national teams is France.
More: Calcio e Finanza
