Renard sacked as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of World Cup / Photo: Abdel Ghani BASHIR - AFP/File
-
Fitzpatrick charges to one-shot lead at RBC Heritage
-
Andreeva sinks Swiatek to meet top seed Rybakina in Stuttgart semis
-
Carrick won't rule out Rashford return to Man Utd
-
Lampard restores reputation by leading Coventry to Premier League
-
'Gouged': World Cup fans to pay 'insane' $150 for NY stadium train ticket
-
Lens leave it late to edge Toulouse and keep pressure on PSG
-
Inter swat aside Cagliari to continue Serie A title procession
-
Thunder stay in the moment as NBA title repeat beckons
-
US Catholics unsettled by Trump's feud with pope
-
US Supreme Court sides with Chevron in environmental case
-
World Cup fans to pay $150 for NY stadium train ticket: official
-
Gujarat's Gill consigns Kolkata to fifth defeat in IPL
-
Top takeaways from CinemaCon: the year's hottest movies
-
Lebanon president says working on 'permanent agreements' after Israel truce
-
Top-seeded Pistons embrace underdog tag
-
Andreeva sinks Swiatek to reach Stuttgart semis
-
Genital mutilation: the silent suffering of Colombia's Indigenous girls
-
UEFA probe after photographers injured at Bayern-Real game
-
Trump tells AFP 'no sticking points' for deal with Iran
-
Trump tells AFP Iran deal close, 'no sticking points' left
-
Shippers eye Iran Hormuz reopening with wariness
-
France, UK to lead 'defensive' force for Hormuz
-
Fils takes out Musetti to reach Barcelona Open semis
-
Griezmann soaking up last Atletico moments before 'joy' of Copa final
-
Polish stadium cancels Kanye West concert
-
Lille's Bentaleb out after 'minor surgery' for infection
-
Oil plunges, stocks jump as Iran declares Hormuz open
-
Trump signals Iran deal near, hails 'brilliant day for world'
-
Zverev fights past Cerundolo to reach Munich semis
-
France, UK to lead multinational Hormuz mission
-
Vondrousova in trouble after shutting door on doping officer
-
Stranded seafarers endure costly path home from Gulf
-
Iran declares Hormuz open as Lebanon ceasefire begins
-
Pope Leo comes into his own with Trump spat
-
Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Masters after wrist injury
-
Arteta tells spluttering Arsenal to embrace title pressure ahead of Man City showdown
-
Chelsea star Caicedo signs seven-year contract extension
-
Key Atlantic current could weaken more than expected: study
-
Destruction, hope in south Beirut as Lebanese return home
-
Trump say Iran blockade continues despite Hormuz reopening
-
Oil plunges, stocks jumps as Iran declares Hormuz open
-
International law 'matters more than ever' in chaotic world: UN head
-
Turkey hosts latest diplomatic push on Middle East war
-
Frenchwoman who married GI sweetheart returns home after ICE ordeal
-
Renard sacked as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of World Cup
-
If Man City lose 'it's over', says Guardiola ahead of Arsenal title showdown
-
First loaded Iranian oil tankers exit Gulf since US blockade: Kpler
-
Lebanese civilians head home despite Israel warning on truce
-
Jubilant crowds throng giant papal mass in Cameroon
-
Oil drops, stocks mixed amid US-Iran peace hopes
Renard sacked as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of World Cup
Frenchman Herve Renard told AFP on Friday he has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Renard, 57, returned for a second spell as Saudi coach at the end of 2024, having led them at the last World Cup in Qatar, including to a famous win over eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.
"That's football... Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me," Renard told AFP via telephone.
"And there's only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that's me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride."
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, led Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
He served as coach of the France women's team and reached the quarter-finals of both the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Renard was later brought back by Saudi Arabia to succeed Mancini as the Italian left his role after an underwhelming 14-month stint.
Former Greece international Georgios Donis is reportedly being lined up as the man to take over from Renard.
A source close to the negotiations told AFP that talks are under way between the federation and Saudi club Al Khaleej, where Donis has been in charge since 2024.
Saudi Arabia will face Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group H at this year's World Cup.
M.A.Colin--AMWN