Premier League legend snubbed "oil money" Saudi Arabia gig and 'followed heart'
West Ham icon Paolo di Canio has revealed he declined the opportunity to become part of Roberto Mancini's staff with Saudi Arabia national team.
Mancini stepped aside as Italy head coach at the start of August following a difficult run of form. It is widely believed that his relationship with those at the top of the Italian football federation had also soured, despite the fact that Mancini had guided the Azzurri to European Championship glory just two summers ago.
Less than a month after resigning as Italy boss, Mancini got started as Saudi Arabia manager. His main task is to ensure that the nation become an outfit that can reach the latter stages of major tournaments and the ex-Manchester City boss called on Di Canio to help him do so.
Di Canio himself has plenty of experience in the dugout, enjoying spells at the helm of both Swindon Town and Sunderland. However, his last stint as manager came with the Black Cats all the way back in 2013, where a training ground bust-up proved to be the final straw before he was dismissed from his post at the Stadium of Light.
Had he accepted Mancini's offer to join him, Di Canio would by no means be the first footballing figure to make the move to the Middle East. However, the Hammers legend has since explained to La Stampa why he wasn't keen on a Saudi switch.
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"I didn't just say no to oil money, because it would have been an important experience in an environment that wants to grow and establish itself, like I do myself," said Di Canio. "Roberto Mancini didn't offer me a minor role, he wanted me as a second coach on the pitch to train and improve the players.
"His courtship made me proud, especially given that we aren't particularly close: a few games of Padel, a chat and not a lot more, so if he thought about me, it's because he believes in my ideas and my work.
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Paolo Di Canio turned down a role as Saudi Arabia assistant manager (Getty Images)"I want to thank him, it wasn't easy to decide, I contemplated it for a long time, and in the end I chose to follow my heart."
It hasn't been the brightest of starts for Mancini in Saudi Arabia. The 58-year-old has not overseen a single win from his opening four games in charge, though he has also managed a draw against Nigeria in his opening tie.
The other three fixtures have seen defeats against the likes of Costa Rica, South Korea and most recently Mali, who toppled Mancini's men with a 3-1 win on Tuesday. Next month sees Saudi Arabia take on Pakistan and Jordan as part of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
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