Al-Sadd head coach Roberto Mancini has been compelled to temporarily step down from his role, unable to return to Qatar due to an ongoing regional conflict that has led to a flight ban over the country. This situation leaves the former Italy and Manchester City manager stranded.
Mancini had previously received club permission to leave Qatar last week for a family medical matter. His departure was pre-arranged and coordinated with Al-Sadd’s management, ahead of their AFC Champions League Elite first leg match. However, the escalating situation in the Gulf region has since grounded flights into Qatar, preventing his return and rendering him unable to fulfill his coaching responsibilities.
Al-Sadd confirmed this development through an official statement on social media, announcing that assistant coach Sergio Alegre will take charge of the team for the upcoming match against Umm Salal. The club also stated their commitment to facilitating Mancini’s return at the earliest possible opportunity.
Mancini took over at Al-Sadd in November, following his tenure managing the Saudi Arabia national team and a controversial departure from his role with the Italian national squad in 2023. The duration of this temporary coaching change remains fluid and entirely dependent on the evolving developments in the wider regional conflict.