Roberto Mancini

In August 2023, Mancini abruptly resigned as Italy's national team manager. Two weeks later, he was appointed manager of Saudi Arabia. He denied having already reached an agreement before resigning and attributed his departure to a lack of trust and imposed changes to his staff. On 28 July 2026, the FIGC recalled him as Italy manager; he then acknowledged having made a mistake in 2023 and asked supporters for forgiveness.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Ahead of the Asian Cup, Mancini triggered a crisis by explaining that he had excluded Salman Al-Faraj, Sultan Al-Ghannam and Nawaf Al-Aqidi because they had allegedly demanded guarantees of starting places or refused certain selection conditions. He described the situation as unprecedented.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During Saudi Arabia's elimination against South Korea in the Asian Cup, Mancini left the touchline before the final Korean penalty was taken. The Saudi federation president described the behaviour as completely unacceptable.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In October 2024, the Saudi federation and Roberto Mancini mutually agreed to end their association after fourteen months. Disappointing World Cup qualifying results and early elimination from the Asian Cup had intensified criticism of the manager.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In January 2013, an altercation between Mancini and Mario Balotelli during training escalated into a physical confrontation following the player's tackle on a teammate. Photographs showed Mancini grabbing Balotelli before staff members separated them.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Manchester City dismissed Mancini in May 2013, exactly one year after winning the Premier League title. The club stated that he had achieved almost none of the season's objectives and that it wanted a more holistic approach. The British press also reported serious tensions with certain players and executives.

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, Mancini claimed that Carlos Tevez had refused to come on as a substitute and declared that he was 'finished' at Manchester City. Tevez maintained that there had been a misunderstanding over the instruction to warm up. The player was suspended and sanctioned, spent several months in Argentina, then apologised and was eventually reintegrated into the team.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following Inter's elimination by Liverpool in the Champions League, Roberto Mancini publicly announced that the remaining months of the season would be his last at the club, despite a contract running until 2012. The following day, after meeting Massimo Moratti, he reversed his announcement and declared his intention to continue.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated