Roberto Mancini has been officially named as one of the three finalists for the Best Coach award at the 2025/26 QFA Awards, which will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026.
This recognition highlights an impressive first season in Qatar for the 61-year-old, who has successfully guided Al Sadd to their third consecutive Qatar Stars League title.
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As the season concludes, it marks three years since Mancini departed from European football. He stepped down as head coach of the Italian men’s national team in 2023, followed by an 18-match tenure leading Saudi Arabia before taking over at Al Sadd.
While managers and players often move away from Europe, perhaps suggesting a decline in their careers, this is not always the case. Many come to the Arabian Peninsula for lucrative contracts, only to showcase their talents and find pathways back to top-flight European leagues.
For instance, Rudi Garcia returned from Al Nassr in 2023 before attempting a challenging role at Napoli. Currently, he is leading Belgium’s men’s national team. Additionally, Carlos Carvalhal has managed clubs like Celtic, Olympiacos, and Braga after spending some time in the UAE with Al Wahda.
Furthermore, Portuguese coaches such as Vítor Pereira and Nuno Espírito Santo have secured multiple opportunities in the Premier League, proving that coaching talent remains valued regardless of whether they are working outside of Europe.
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At 61, Mancini is far from reaching retirement age in management. Despite the perception of Qatar being removed from Europe’s elite football scene, his recent title victory underscores his impressive past, which includes successes in both Italy and England.
Following Al Sadd’s championship win, Mancini emphasized his desire to maintain relevance in European football by proudly displaying an Italian flag inscribed with “Euro 2020.” Recently, he attended an award ceremony at Coverciano hosted by the Italian Union of Sports Press, where he responded curtly to inquiries about a return to the national team. Moreover, he has recently been linked to the managerial position at Napoli, according to reports from Tuttomercatoweb.
Though currently in Qatar, Mancini continues to amass trophies. His eventual return to Europe seems imminent, but whether he will rejoin a national team or return to club management in Europe remains uncertain.
Anshuman Joshi I GIFN