RIYADH: A post by Al-Arabiya on X, formerly Twitter, is suggesting that the former Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard could be lined up for a sensational return to the role that saw him lead the Green Falcons to a shock 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The post, on the broadcaster’s Arabic account of the program “FilMarma,” follows Saudi’s first two Third Round Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which saw a return of four points from a 1-1 draw with Indonesia at home and a late 2-1 win in China.
An approach for Renard would indicate that the Saudi team’s form under current coach Roberto Mancini remains unconvincing, particularly after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup campaign earlier this year in Qatar.
Renard managed the Saudi national team from 2019 to 2023, with the Frenchman comfortably securing qualification to Qatar 2022 before delivering the famous win at Lusail Stadium against eventual champions Argentina, for whom Lionel Messi had given a 1-0 half-time lead. Two early second-half goals by Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari completed the turnaround for Saudi Arabia.
Renard left his post in 2023 to become coach of the France women’s national team ahead of the FIFA women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Mancini took over as manager of Saudi Arabia in August 2023.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has not commented on the report.
