When asked about his fellow countryman Roberto Mancini’s choice to become the coach of Saudi Arabia, Italian coach Claudio Ranieri didn’t mince his words. His statements are reported by Footmercato.
In a surprising turn of events, Roberto Mancini officially resigned from his role as head coach of the Italian national football team, Squadra Azzurra, to immediately accept a lucrative offer with the Saudi national team. As the football world digests this unexpected decision, his fellow Italian compatriot Claudio Ranieri, currently in charge of Cagliari in Serie A, shared his perspective on Mancini’s decision.
The seasoned 71-year-old tactician states that he wouldn’t have made the same choice and that money isn’t essential for him in his decisions. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have done it. I prefer to have a motivation other than money. I’ve already said this will be the last club of my career (Cagliari, editor’s note). It feels good to have started and finished here. If a national team comes up that I like the look of, then I could consider it,” said the Cagliari coach.
On the other hand, Roberto Mancini claims that money didn’t play a big role in his move to Saudi Arabia and he asserts to have high goals with his new team. “We have good players and the former coach did an excellent job. We want to be one of the best teams in Asia and put on a fantastic show. I will build an organized and strong team that plays attractive offensive football. We want to inspire Saudi fans and show the world that Saudi Arabia is a powerhouse in football,” he said during his official presentation.
