(ANSA) – RIYADH, OCTOBER 25 – Roberto Mancini sacked, the Saudi Arabian football federation is negotiating with Hervé Renard for the return of the French coach to the bench of the green and white national team. A source close to the federation made this known to AFP. “The news will be announced in the next few days after having concluded the contractual procedures definitively and officially,” the source said. Renard led the Saudis to a shock victory over reigning champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, but then left the role in March last year to take charge of the French women’s national team. He resigned from this position in August, after France was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics by Brazil.
As for Mancini, he had taken over from Renard as Saudi coach, but yesterday he was forced to leave, after 14 months, due to the poor results obtained. Defeat at home to Japan and a draw with Gulf rivals Bahrain in 2026 World Cup qualifying cost them their place. Building a strong national team is a priority for the Saudis, who last year invested more than a billion dollars in players for the local championship and are the only candidates to organize the 2034 World Cup. (ANSA).