Renard requests to leave the Saudi national team... and the federation is considering it
Shocking French reports: Renard requests to leave his position as coach of the Saudi national team
In a surprising development that has shaken Saudi and international football circles, reliable media reports, most notably from the French newspaper L'Équipe, have revealed that the Saudi national team's coach, Frenchman Hervé Renard, has officially submitted his resignation. This shocking decision comes at a highly sensitive time, as the Green Falcons strive to build a strong team capable of fiercely competing in the 2026 World Cup finals. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's management is currently reviewing this request amidst a state of anticipation and deep consideration regarding the future of the national team's coaching staff, especially after the criticism leveled at the coach following the 2-1 friendly defeat against Serbia during their training camp.
Complex technical reasons: Minutes crisis and the Roshen League's impact
French sources indicated that Renard is deeply frustrated and unable to restore the Saudi national team to its former glory. The primary source of this frustration lies in the radical changes recently witnessed in Saudi football, specifically the significant increase in the number of foreign professional players in the Saudi Professional League. While attracting international stars has undoubtedly boosted the league's marketing and technical value to unprecedented levels, it has negatively impacted the opportunities for local players to secure regular starting positions with their clubs.
The experienced French coach believes that in the recent past, Saudi players regularly featured as starters, even at less competitive clubs, which ensured their physical and technical readiness. Today, however, many of the national team's stars are relegated to the bench at major clubs, hindering Renard's ability to prepare them physically and mentally for major international competitions, thus diminishing his enthusiasm for continuing the journey towards the next World Cup.
Historical context: From the Lusail Summit to the challenges of the present
Hervé Renard has a distinguished history with the Saudi national team, having led them in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, achieving a historic and unforgettable victory over eventual champions Argentina by a score of 2-1. This achievement raised the expectations of Saudi fans. With his return to coach the team again in 2024, hopes were high that he would replicate those successes. However, current indicators have revealed the extent of the technical gap the team is currently experiencing due to the players' lack of competitive matches in the domestic league.
Possible destination: Will Renard return to the African continent?
In a related development, the French newspaper L'Équipe reported that Hervé Renard may receive an offer to coach the Ghanaian national football team. This news comes after the dismissal of coach Otto Addo following a string of poor results, most notably a defeat against Germany. If this move materializes, it would mark Renard's return to the African continent, where he achieved his greatest coaching success, having previously won the Africa Cup of Nations with both Zambia and Ivory Coast. It would also be his third appearance at the World Cup with a different national team, following Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Impact of the decision on the future of Saudi football
Hervé Renard's request to leave represents a genuine wake-up call for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The crisis transcends a mere coaching change, highlighting a larger strategic challenge: how to strike an effective balance between developing a domestic league that attracts world-class players and maintaining the readiness and development of local talent, the very foundation of the national team. The next few days will be crucial in determining the Green Falcons' path to the 2026 World Cup.
