Mancini Takes a Bold Turn: Roberto Moves to Al-Sadd in Qatar for a New Challenge
10 November 2025
Mancini Set for a Doha Chapter
An Italian sports daily reports that Roberto Mancini is on the verge of taking charge of Qatar’s Al-Sadd, signaling a new chapter for a coach whose career has spanned major European clubs and national teams.
Al-Sadd had parted ways with Felix Sanchez on October 15 and named Sergio Allegri as caretaker. The timing opened a window for Mancini, who was briefly linked with other high-profile jobs in the region and beyond.
Earlier, Mancini had been close to replacing Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest, but talks broke down without a deal. The Italian coach also drew interest from Juventus after Igor Tudor’s exit, yet Juventus opted for Luciano Spalletti in the end.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini agreed to take the Al-Sadd post on a provisional contract through the current season, with discussions aimed at solidifying terms depending on performance and project fit.
The same source notes that Mancini had initially rejected Al-Sadd’s offer, preferring a return to Italy where he hoped to find a compelling project; ultimately, the Qatar proposal won him over, and he attended Al-Sadd’s fixture against Al-Ahli Saudi in the AFC Champions League elite as part of the process.
Mancini’s résumé includes 18 matches in charge of Saudi Arabia, yielding 7 wins, 6 losses, and 6 draws. Al-Sadd sits sixth in the Qatar Stars League with 14 points, a position that leaves room for a managerial spark in pursuit of domestic titles.
A Storied Path from Player to Coach
Mancini’s career is marked by a balance between defensive organization and attacking quality. Born November 27, 1964 in Jesolo, Italy, he began his playing days with Bologna before rising to prominence with Sampdoria, where he won the Serie A title in 1991 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990.
He finished his playing days with Lazio, lifting the Italian league crown in 2000 and the same European trophy in 1999, while earning 36 caps for Italy and scoring four goals internationally.
His coaching journey started at Fiorentina in 2001, achieving an Italian Cup in his first season, followed by a stint at Lazio (2002–2004) where he also won the Italian Cup in 2004. The Inter era (2004–2008) featured three consecutive league titles, two Italian Cups and two Super Cups, cementing his status as a top Italian tactician despite a publicized exit in 2008.
In England, he guided Manchester City (2009–2013) to the 2011–2012 Premier League title—the club’s first in 44 years—plus the 2011 FA Cup and the 2012 Community Shield, before leaving after a domestic cup final defeat.
Other stints included Galatasaray, Zenit St. Petersburg, a return to Inter Milan, and a tenure with Italy’s national team (2018–2023). The pinnacle remains Euro 2020, won after a dramatic penalty shootout against England at Wembley, a triumph that revived Italian football’s excitement after a dry spell. A 37-game unbeaten run underscored his strategic approach, though World Cup 2022 qualification eluded the Azzurri, culminating in his resignation in August 2023.
As Mancini steps into Qatar, the football world watches how his brand of balanced, disciplined football translates to Al-Sadd's ambitions in a league eager for a continental breakthrough.
Punchline time: If Mancini can bottle that Euro 2020 magic, Doha might just bottle the rain—because the defense will be so strong, even the weather will stay dry. And if you think this sounds risky, remember: in football, a good plan is like a good joke—timing is everything, and sometimes it’s all about the punch line on the final whistle.
