Roberto Mancini has likened the challenges he faces as new Saudi Arabia coach to what he experienced with Italy.
The former Manchester City and Inter Milan manager signed a four-year deal with the Saudis yesterday and was presented to the local media this morning.
Mancini declared: “I want to thank the president for choosing me and I’m very proud to be here and to start my job.”
On getting to know the Saudi national team
“The next few days will be very important, but in the last 10 days, I’ve started seeing several videos of the players.”
On assistants
“I started talking to the Federation in mid-August, it’s normal that some of my assistants didn’t know about this situation and right now they have to resolve the situation in Italy. We’re here for now, then the others will join us. We have time enough to do everything.”
On the improvements needed for the Saudi national team
“We need time, of course. But we’re sure that if we work well and hard we can get results.”
On the small number of Saudi players in the championship teams
“In Italy we don’t only have three players to choose per team (in Saudi Arabia there is a limit of 8 foreigners who can be registered). This is a good thing for us, we have time to decide everything. We believe a lot in young talents, we know that in the Under 21 and in the youth selections we have many good players.”
On the arrival of stars in the Saudi Pro League
“It’s good that these stars arrive, they will help raise the level of Saudi players. The same happened in Italy many years ago with the arrival of the first foreigners who helped raise our technical level.”
How to improve this squad
“I’m not a magician, the only way I know to improve is to work and what I can say is that we will work hard to win something important. I think we have good talent in the national team, but now let’s think about working.”
More on the players available
“We have some good players, the last coach (Herve) Renard did an excellent job. We have players that we must try to improve further.”
On the form
“It’s important for us to work well. Then we can change the system and positions on the pitch.”
More on the current squad
“I want to thank the players who beat Argentina, allowing Italy to keep their unbeaten record of 37 games. I think the players have improved a lot in the last 10 years, we want to become the best in Asia and it will take work but also a good atmosphere.”
Too many foreigners in the Saudi Pro League take away space from local players
“One of the potentially biggest markets in the world, it’s normal for the best players to arrive. In Italy we had very few players, it was difficult to choose and sometimes we were looking for players who have never played in Serie A. As far as Saudi Arabia is concerned, I’m sure we’ll find the right players.”
Goals?
“We want to win the Asian Cup, we have a few friendlies and then 20 days to prepare for the tournament. There will be many teams but we aim to win the tournament.”
On the growth of the Saudi movement
“Since 2018, when I faced Saudi Arabia with Italy, the movement has grown a lot and I believe that the potential has grown further.”
