Hervé Renard has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach
Frenchman Hervé Renard has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The 57-year-old had returned for a second spell as Saudi coach at the end of 2024, having previously led the team at the last World Cup in Qatar. Despite his experience and history with the national side, his tenure has now been cut short at a crucial moment.
“That’s football. Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me. And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride,” Renard told AFP.
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, was in charge of Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
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He later coached the France women’s team from 2023 to 2024, reaching the quarterfinals of both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Paris Olympics.
He was subsequently brought back to replace Mancini following the Italian’s underwhelming stint, but his second spell has now ended abruptly.
Former Greece international Georgios Donis is reportedly being lined up as his replacement, with talks ongoing between the Saudi federation and Al Khaleej.
Saudi Arabia have been drawn in a tough Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and debutants Cape Verde, with all matches set to be played in the United States.
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