Late on Wednesday, speculation emerged regarding the position of Herve Renard as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national side.
Late on Wednesday, speculation emerged regarding the position of Herve Renard as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national side.
The discussion gathered pace after the Al Riyadh newspaper published a post on social media platform X suggesting that changes on the bench were being considered following the team’s failure to qualify for the FIFA Arab Cup final.
Referring to what it described as informed sources, the Arabic outlet claimed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation board was reviewing Renard’s situation and could begin exploring alternatives ahead of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The report added that any potential successor could come from within the Saudi Professional League and would be expected to meet the ambitions of football authorities and supporters while reflecting the progress and standing of the game in the Kingdom.
Soon after the claims circulated, the X account @SaudiNews50, which has 21.6 million followers, published a statement attributed to the Saudi federation dismissing the reports.
The message stated clearly that information suggesting Renard was being removed from his role with the national team was incorrect.
Less than two hours after its initial post, Al Riyadh released a follow-up confirming it had received a written response from the federation rejecting the report and affirming that Renard would lead the team in Thursday’s Arab Cup third-place playoff against the UAE at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
Renard remains under contract until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and addressed questions about his future after Monday’s semifinal loss to Jordan at Al-Bayt Stadium.
Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, the French coach said he intended to continue his duties, noting that while football decisions can change, his agreement with the federation was still valid.
He later reflected on the performance against Jordan, stating that preparations had been strong and highlighting that Saudi Arabia controlled possession with 69 percent compared to Jordan’s 31 percent.
Renard acknowledged that despite understanding the opponent’s approach, the side fell short defensively and struggled to create enough opportunities, ultimately failing to protect the draw or find a goal.
