Juan Antonio Pizzi extends Saudi Arabia contract until end of 2019 Asian Cup

Argentine led Saudi Arabia to third in World Cup Group A and will be in charge for next year's continental tournament in the UAE

Juan Antonio Pizzi will soon turn his attention to preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup after extending his contract as Saudi Arabia manager. Zurab Kurtsikidze / EPA

Saudi Arabia have extended manager Juan Antonio Pizzi's contract until the end of the Asian Cup in February 2019, the FA said on Tuesday, a day after the national team claimed victory over Egypt in their last World Cup game.

Saudi Arabia have had a high turnover of coaches, and there was speculation Argentine Pizzi could be on his way out after the team suffered a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Russia in their opening game.

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But the Saudis showed a marked improvement in their subsequent Group A matches, despite failing to progress from the group stage.

"The Saudi Arabian Football Federation extends the Saudi national team manager Juan Pizzi's contract until the end of the Asian Cup tournament," the FA said on Twitter.

Pizzi began coaching Saudi Arabia in November and his contract was due to expire at the end of the tournament in Russia.

The 2019 Asian Cup will be held in the UAE and will begin on January 5 with the final scheduled for February 1.