Renard was dismissed from coaching the Saudi national team

Frenchman Herve Renard announced on Friday to Agence France-Presse that he was relieved of his duties as coach of the Saudi national football team, two months before its participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In response to a question about whether he had been dismissed from his position, the French coach, who returned to this position in late 2024, answered in the affirmative.

Renard said in a telephone statement: "This is football... Saudi Arabia has qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me. The only coach who has competed in the qualifiers and the World Cup is me, and that will be in 2022. At least this pride will remain."

After an experience that was described as somewhat disappointing at the helm of the French women’s national team, Renard, who is currently 57 years old, returned in the fall of 2024 to coach the Saudi national team following the dismissal of Italian Roberto Mancini following the loss at home to Japan (0-2) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Renard announced at the time: “I am back.”

Mancini succeeded the Frenchman at the helm of the “Green Falcons” in 2023.

Under a contract extending until 2027, the European champion with Italy in 2021 presented a tally that was considered insufficient when he was dismissed, with seven wins, five draws and six defeats in 18 matches.

As for Renard, whose contract was for two years, meaning until after the World Cup, he was removed from his position despite Saudi Arabia’s success in qualifying for the World Cup finals for the seventh time in its history, and the third in a row.

Saudi Arabia will play in the World Cup alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group Eight.

In the last edition in Qatar in late 2022, under Renard’s supervision, the Saudi team achieved a resounding victory in the group stage over Argentina, which later won the title (2-1).

The Frenchman did not give any indication about his future, and the name of his successor is not yet known.

A source close to the negotiations told Agence France-Presse on Thursday that the Saudi Federation is negotiating with Greek coach Yorgos Donis, coach of Al-Khaleej Club, to supervise the Saudi national team in the 2026 World Cup in place of Renard.

The source said, “The Saudi Federation is currently negotiating with Denis to take over his duties soon instead of Frenchman Herve Renard.”