The Saudi Arabian Football Federation are confident they will appoint a manager to build on the success Herve Renard enjoyed with the team, with the organisation moving closer to confirming his replacement.
The federation are currently in negotiations with Renard’s successor after the Frenchman left his role in March. Renard, whose contract ran until 2027, departed to become France Women’s head coach.
With the Saudi senior national team not playing during next month’s international break — the decision was taken last year to give the players time off following the winter World Cup — the SAFF expect to have a new manager in place within the next one or two months so he can begin to plot the side’s 2023 Asian Cup campaign.
The tournament, initially set for China this summer, will take place in Qatar at the beginning of next year.
Speaking to The National, SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal said: “We are almost in the final stages of negotiations with one of the top coaches. And we hope by June, July maximum, we will announce the name so he will be able to join us before the end of the July to attend some of the matches the Saudi clubs will play during the King Salman Club Cup [July 20-August 5].”
Appointed as Saudi manager in July 2019, Renard oversaw a period of marked progress in which the team qualified for the 2022 World Cup as group winners ahead of Japan and Australia.
In Qatar, Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in their opening group match to record one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history. The loss represented the eventual champions’ only defeat at the tournament.
However, although Saudi Arabia did not manage to emerge from the group — they lost to Poland and Mexico, despite outplaying the former — they still departed Qatar with reputation enhanced.
Al Misehal praised the impact Renard had on the team, adding he was convinced the federation will choose a manager to ensure the recent period of rude health continues.
“Of course, we had a great success with Herve, a great four years,” Al Misehal said. “Our [Fifa world] ranking jumped from 70 to 54 — it reached 48. I think now football is getting more advanced, it’s becoming a little easier for any coach to get familiar with the football ecosystem, with the players, and Saudi Arabia now as a football nation is becoming an attractive place for a lot of coaches and players as well.
Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2: player ratings
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ARGENTINA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 5: Literally not a thing to do until picking ball out of net in 48th minute when Al Shehri’s finish found the bottom corner. Got hand to second goal but couldn’t keep Al Dawsari’s effort out. Getty -
Nahuel Molina 6: Atletico right-back was solid defensively but failed to offer team any width going forward. Getty -
Cristian Romero 4: Tottenham defender couldn’t stop Al Shehri scoring as Saudi attacker fired shot through his legs at start of second half to make it 1-1. Didn’t look fully fit and hooked before hour mark. EPA -
Nicolas Otamendi 6: Veteran centre-half repeatedly refused to accept a Saudi handshake after one first-half foul. Read danger well to stop opposition getting through on goal with well-timed sliding tackle just before break. Getty -
Nicolas Tagliafico 5: Lyon full-back found himself under a bit of pressure in first half as the Saudis found a bit of joy down his flank. Almost levelled after ball rebounded off his shin but keeper scrambled out for corner. Getty -
Rodrigo De Paul 4: Midfielder left apologising to teammates after gifting possession to Saudis in poor first half when he also gave away some cheap free-kicks and blasted chance spectacularly high over bar. Will be disappointed at how easily Al Shehri ghosted through for second goal and how team lost midfield battle in general. AFP -
Leandro Paredes 5: Juve midfielder was pulled down in box to earn side early penalty. Sprayed some lovely passes around but influence waned as match went on and substituted soon after Saudi’s second goal. AFP -
Alejandro Gomez 4: Blazed ambitious effort way over after 20 minutes which was extent of his attacking influence. Couldn’t get grip on midfield as Saudis pressured so well from start to finish. AP -
Angel Di Maria 6: Surprisingly quiet first when he failed to make any impact in game. Better after break with his crossing but Argentina failed to take advantage. One lovely pass with outside of foot almost found Martinez but opponents scrambled out for corner. AFP -
Lionel Messi 6: Should have scored very early goal but denied by decent keeper save. Did roll home penalty to open scoring after 10 minutes. Scored again after 22 minutes but caught offside. Sent poor free-kick wide and weak header straight at keeper in second half. Looked shell-shocked at end. EPA -
Lautaro Martinez 6: Striker twice finished confidently in first half but was caught offside for both – the first being incredibly tight but still right call. Non-existent as threat after break as Argentina failed to turn up for fight. AP -
SUBS: Lisandro Martinez (On for Romero 59’) 6: Saw shot that deflected off teammate Tagliafico saved by Al Owais. One wild back-pass looked like it might catch out Martinez but goalkeeper managed to control with chest. AP -
Julian Alvarez (On for Gomez 59’) 5: Manchester City attacker brought on as one of three subs as Argentina were forced to chase game. Had shot cleared off line in injury-time but off-side flag had gone up anyway. Headed very late chance gently into keeper’s hands. AP -
Enzo Fernandez (On for Paredes 59’) 5: Headed one chance well over bar from corner. Reuters -
Marcos Acuna (On for Tagliafico 71’) 5: Came on with team chasing game but substitute left-back was never going to be the answer to woes in midfield and up front. Reuters -
SAUDI ARABIA RATINGS: Mohammed Al Owais 8: Al Hilal goalkeeper saved well from Messi in second minute, sent the wrong way by same player from penalty soon after. Fine stop to deny Tagliafico from close range as Argentina chased leveller. Booked for venting at referee late on. AP -
Saud Abdulhamid 7: Handed Argentina early penalty after VAR spotted him hauling down Paredes in box. Both Saudi full-backs not afraid of pushing forward although final ball was sometimes lacking. Booked in second half when he was outstanding at helping keep opposition at bay. Getty -
Hassan Al Tambakti 9: At heart of Saudi defence that played dangerous game with very high line that worked, just, in first half as Argentina were denied three goals due to off-side. Magnificent sliding tackle on Messi with Argentina star nearly through on goal had defender cheering like a goal. Immense at the back. Reuters -
Ali Al Bulayhi 8: Threw himself into tackles and headers but was certainly playing risky business with that high defensive line. Booked for time-wasting with 15 minutes to go but another star showing in defence as the team’s tactics paid off – and in some style. Getty -
Yasser Al Shahrani 8: Had large Saudi contingent in stands on their feet with one sliding challenge to win ball in first half and was perfect example of effort his team put into this game. Took horrific knee to face off own keeper late on and had to be carried off. AFP -
Abdulellah Al Malki 7: Clumsy challenge on Gomez handed free-kick to Argentina in dangerous spot just before break, that ended with De Paul blazing chance well over. First booking of game for sliding tackle on Otamendi in 66th minute. Another who put in incredibly hard-working shift. Getty -
Mohamed Kanno 7: Showed some nice footwork at times, drawing some fouls from opposition, but was furious when referee awarded free-kick against him in dangerous spot for nothing challenge on Messi that the same player sent high and just wide. AFP -
Saleh Al Shehri 7: Excellent run and left-footed finish to level the scores just after half-time with what was his team’s first effort on goal to send crowd wild. AFP -
Salman Al Faraj 6: The Saudi captain picked up knock in the first half and tried desperately to run it off but eventually limped off just before break, receiving a healthy applause from around ground. Shame as had been playing part in keeping pressure on Argentina. AP -
Salem Al Dawsari 8: Saudi’s key attacker skipped between two players with one surging run just before half-time before going down in box looking for penalty – rightly ignored. Showed brilliant skill to earn himself space and curl home a lovely finish to put his team 2-1 up. AP -
Feras Al Brikan 6: Ran his socks off in attack and played his part for team ranked 51st in Fifa rankings, albeit without any goalscoring opportunities to speak of but provide assist for Al Shehri goal. Reuters -
SUBS: Nawaf Alabid (On for Al-Faraj 45+4’) 5: Had goal-bound strike blocked just before Saudi’s second goal. Booked in second half. Substituted himself – unclear if tactical or injury. Getty -
Sultan Al Ghannam (On for Al-Shehri 78’) N/A. Mohammed Alburayk (On for Nawaf 90+8’) N/A. AP
“We’ve set our criteria with our technical director and we have reviewed, I would say, five to six CVs of the coaches that we think will fit our requirements. And we have advanced negotiations with one of them.
“We just want to make sure that, after all the leagues are finished, then we want to go ahead and sign the contract hopefully. I’m confident that we’re going to have another coach that can carry on what Herve has achieved with us.”
As for the qualities the SAFF were looking for in a new manager, Al Misehal said: “We want a coach who has the winning mentality, a coach who’s very disciplined and also eager or hungry to gain more success. A coach who’s motivated and, despite having a good proven record, wants to achieve something. That’s very important.
“And, technically as well, somebody who will be able to get the best out of the players we have in Saudi. It’s very good that we have some very young players; some of our players that played in the World Cup are 23, 24.
“So we have some really talented players. Hopefully, we can have a coach that gets the maximum out of them.”
Al Misehal, who this month was re-elected as SAFF president for the next four years, said the stability of the board, the national team’s strong performance at the World Cup, and the December signing of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, have combined to make the kingdom a more viable destination for some of the game’s most prominent managers.
Saudi football is shaping up for a major summer transfer window, with a number of high-profile players and coaches linked with a move to the Gulf country — chief among those Lionel Messi.
The World Cup winner, 35, is understood to be weighing up offers from Saudi Arabia, former club Barcelona, and Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
On Messi’s possible transfer to Saudi Arabia, Al Misehal said: “As I answered previously about Cristiano, for me, as president of the federation, I don’t get involved in any negotiations between any player or any Saudi club.
“But from my personal point of view, I would love to see a legend like Messi playing in the Saudi league. I think this would make another huge imprint that will help to elevate Saudi football in general.
“But, unfortunately, I cannot tell you anything about it because I’m not involved in any discussion. But of course, everybody is following these, as I would put it, rumours — because nothing is official yet.
“But I think some other players are on the radar of some of the Saudi clubs, so let’s wait for the next summer window and hopefully we can hear some exciting news.”
Meanwhile, the Saudi national team were on Thursday drawn in Group F for the 2023 Asian Cup alongside Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman.
The three-time winners, who will host the 2027 edition, have not captured the continent’s premier title since 1996. Saudi Arabia did, though, lift their second Asian Cup trophy the first time the tournament was staged in Qatar, in 1988.
“For the draw, we are very familiar with two national teams, which we managed to get six points from each during World Cup qualification [Thailand, 2018 qualification; Oman, 2022],” Al Misehal said. “But this tournament will be different — it will be more competitive, and no game will be easy.
“We have to work very hard to make a very high performance and hopefully we can advance to the final stages, because we have great memories of 1988, our second Asian Cup win.
“And we have great memories six months ago when we played in the World Cup in Qatar. So we are going for the same fantastic moments we’ve been through at Lusail Stadium, to have similar fantastic moments in Al Bayt Stadium. It will be very tough, but I think it can be very successful.
“As Qatar has successfully delivered the best edition of the World Cup, I’m also very confident they will deliver the best edition of the Asian Cup.”
