Ex-Italy boss Mancini named new Saudi Arabia manager

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug 28 (AP): Roberto Mancini was appointed coach of the Saudi Arabia national team on Sunday, just two weeks after the European Championship-winning manager surprisingly left his job in charge of Italy.
The Saudi Arabian soccer federation (SAFF) said the Italian has been given a four-year contract. His first matches in charge will be against Costa Rica on Sept. 8 and South Korea four days later - both are friendly games and will take place at Newcastle.
SAFF posted a video on social media with clips of Mancini. In it, he says: "I made history in Europe, now it's time to make history with Saudi." Italian media reported that Mancini's contract is worth 25 million euros ($27 million) a year.
Mancini is the latest big name to become part of Saudi's soccer revolution. Clubs from the oil-rich kingdom splashed the cash in the offseason on a number of star soccer players amid continued concerns from human rights organizations which argue that Saudi Arabia uses sports for public-relations purposes. "I am immensely honored to be offered the position as Saudi Arabia national team manager," Mancini said. "I believe this is a great opportunity for me, to experience football in a new country, especially with the growing popularity of football in Asia.