Frenchman Hervé Renard officially announced his resignation as coach of the Saudi national team, approximately two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Renard, who is 57 years old, returned to take over the task of coaching the Saudi national team for the second time at the end of 2024. It is noteworthy that he had previously led the national team in the last World Cup in Qatar, where they achieved a historic victory over the Argentine national team, which later won the title.
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire, coached the Saudi national team from 2019 to 2023, before being succeeded by Roberto Mancini in the position.
Renard also previously worked as coach of the French women’s national team, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.
After a short period, the Saudi national team regained the services of Renard to replace Mancini, after the end of the latter’s 14-month term, which was described as disappointing.
Reports indicate that Georgios Donis, a former Greek national team player, is considered one of the most prominent candidates to succeed Renard in coaching the Saudi national team.
The Saudi national team is scheduled to face Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group Eight of this year’s World Cup competitions.
Coach Hervé Renard confirmed his decision to resign and officially announced his departure from his position, saying: “This is football… The Saudi national team qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice under my leadership.”
In statements to Agence France-Presse, he added: “There is only one coach who led them through the qualifiers and the World Cup; that is me, in 2022.”
He concluded his speech by saying: “At least there will be a feeling of pride after this wonderful march with Al-Akhdar.”
