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JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 13: Roberto Mancini team Manager of Al Sadd SC during the AFC Champions League Elite game between Al Hilal FC and Al Sadd SC at Prince Abdullah AlFaisal Sports City on April 13, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Roberto Mancini had double reason to celebrate tonight, as his Al Sadd both won the Qatar Stars League and knocked Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal out of the Asian Champions League.
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The former Italy coach is back in club football, having quit the Nazionale to take the Saudi Arabia job in August 2023, then appointed Al Sadd boss in November 2025.
Mancini double celebration for Al Sadd
It was a very special day indeed for Mancini, because this afternoon he learned that due to Al Shamal’s 2-0 defeat to Qatar SC, the Qatar Stars League title had been mathematically guaranteed without even needing to set foot on the pitch.
Just a few hours later, his team was in action for the AFC Asian Champions League Round of 16, facing Inzaghi’s Al Hilal in Jeddah.
It was a 3-3 thriller and ultimately had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out after extra time, with Mancini’s Al Sadd emerging victorious 4-2.
His side came back three times from a goal down to set up a quarter-final clash with Japan’s Vissel Kobe, which will be on Thursday.
Mancini has been suggested for a potential return to the Italy job.
