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A look at Roberto Mancini, Saudi Arabia’s new football head coach


In his first press conference as the new head coach of Saudi Arabia, Roberto Mancini was unambiguous in outlining his goals for the national team.

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“Our target is to try and win the Asian Cup after 27 years,” Mancini said last week. “We know there are many top teams, like Japan, South Korea and Australia, but I’m sure if we prepare, we can achieve this.”

Mancini’s words don’t seem like an empty promise. He is a born winner whose seven head coach jobs have yielded 13 trophies. Only at the Russian side Zenit St Petersburg did he fail to secure silverware, and his success rate means that Saudi Arabian fans have genuine reason to be optimistic.

His three successive Serie A title wins with Inter Milan and leading his native Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 speak highly of his credentials as a coach.

However, it is Mancini’s role in the meteoric ascent of Manchester City that will likely be his enduring legacy.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini reacts as England manager Gareth Southgate looks on during the Euro 2020 Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, Britain, July 11, 2021. (Pool via Reuters/Frank Augstein)

Italy coach Roberto Mancini reacts as England manager Gareth Southgate looks on during the Euro 2020 Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, Britain, July 11, 2021. (Pool via Reuters/Frank Augstein)

Sergio Aguero’s dramatic last-second Premier League title-winning salvo remains etched in the memory of football fans worldwide. Millions watched open-mouthed as City pipped neighbors Manchester United on goal difference on the final day of the 2011-12 season to secure the most dramatic of triumphs.

Eleven years later, Mancini has an opportunity to make history again, this time with Saudi Arabia.

The seeds of possibility for the Green Falcons were sown with last December’s stunning win in a World Cup group match against eventual winners Argentina. That win is ample evidence that Mancini now has a group of players capable of competing with, quite literally, the world’s best.

The dramatic shift in the Saudi football landscape in recent months, with several world-class players joining the Roshn Saudi League, further raises expectations. With Saudi players regularly sharing pitches with many global superstars, greater opportunity for technical development exists at this moment than at any stage in the Kingdom’s football history.

(L-R): N’golo Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez.

(L-R): N’golo Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez.

“The presence of top players in the Saudi Pro League indicates the potential for growth in the national football scene,” Mancini himself explained at last week’s unveiling. “I firmly believe that the passionate footballing culture of Saudi Arabia and the intrinsic quality of Saudi players are crucial ingredients for success.”

The Italian coach’s new assignment officially begins this week with a pair of friendlies at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park in England. First up is Costa Rica on Friday, while fellow Asian heavyweight South Korea is the opponent next Tuesday.

Further friendlies are planned against Mali in October and Malaysia in January, sandwiching a pair of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against either Cambodia or Pakistan, and then Jordan in November.

This means Mancini has six matches to get into grips with his players before the tournament he is targeting – the AFC Asian Cup – begins in Qatar in January. Saudi Arabia faces Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand in what appears on paper to be a very winnable group.

Mancini’s first squad has a somewhat familiar feel, with many of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup heroes included.

However, there are also call-ups for 11 players who didn’t make it to Qatar, including a first selection for Al-Taawoun goalkeeper Raghed al-Najjar.

SAFF President Signs Contract with Mancini as New Coach of the Saudi National Football Team until 2027. (Twitter)

SAFF President Signs Contract with Mancini as New Coach of the Saudi National Football Team until 2027. (Twitter)

The others welcomed back into the fold are Ahmed Bamsaud (Al-Ittihad), Ahmed Sharahili (Al-Ittihad), Fahad Al-Muwallad (Al-Shabab), Abdulaziz Al-Bishi (Damac), Abdulrahman Ghareeb (Al-Nassr), Abdullah Al-Khaibari (Al-Nassr), Sumayhan Al-Nabit (Al-Ahli), Ali Hazai (Al-Ettifaq), Fahad Al-Rashidi (Al Ahli) and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who is included after two goals in four games for league leaders Al-Hilal this season.

“The squad is strong with talented players,” Mancini said. “I believe we have what it takes to elevate our game if we work hard.”

There is no question that Mancini has big boots to fill. Not only did former coach Herve Renard lead Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he also masterminded the biggest result in the Green Falcons’ history – silencing Lionel Messi’s Argentina with a shock 2-1 victory in Lusail.

Renard was charismatic and well-loved by his players, with a viral video famously giving insight into how his impassioned team-talks inspired the victory over Argentina.

However, Mancini himself is also renowned for being a great man-motivator who can get the best out of his players – a fact demonstrated by his Euro 2020 victory with an Italy side that contained no obvious stars.

Saudi Football Federation President Yasser al-Misehal certainly appeared happy at landing Mancini, who became the second Italian to coach a national team in the Gulf after Alberto Zaccheroni took UAE to the Asia Cup semi-finals in 2019.

“Roberto believes in Saudi football and our desire to develop top competitive players and take them to new heights on the world stage,” Al-Misehal said. “We’re a footballing nation and we [are] continuing to invest at every level in our journey to compete with the best in the world – on and off the pitch,” he added.

Mancini will need to use every ounce of his coaching prowess to propel his new national team to Asian Cup success. Still, with a glittering coaching career behind him and a wave of positive feeling currently running through Saudi football, he could well be the man to bring home the trophy that Green Falcons fans crave the most.

Read more:

Future football stars to be trained under program led by Saudi Arabia’s NEOM

Roberto Mancini takes the helm as head coach of Saudi national football team

Roberto Mancini appointed as new coach for Saudi Arabia national team

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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