RIYADH: A video for a newly launched campaign, “You Got This,” featuring Saudi national team head coach Herve Renard, begins with a solitary figure running — at first alone, then gradually joined by others, until the crowd itself carries the Frenchman forward.
It is not only a metaphor for Renard’s philosophy, but also an apt reflection of his training methods and the unity he believes is key to Saudi Arabia’s dream of returning to the World Cup. In October, his team will take on Indonesia and Iraq in the fourth round of AFC Qualifiers, top the three-team Group B, and head to the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico next summer.
“It’s very good support,” Renard told Arab News at the launch of the Adidas campaign. “I think (the whole) country will be behind us. We know what they are expecting from us, but we are also expecting from them to support us. From the first gun to the last one. And together, we have to do it.”
It’s a powerful call to arms, and hearts. For Renard, running is more than fitness; it’s his thinking space, his strategy room, and his sanctuary.
“If I don’t run, I’m not feeling comfortable,” he said, explaining how his solitary runs are moments of mental preparation. “I never use music when I’m running. I’m always thinking about what I have to say, what maybe I didn’t do well before, what I have to improve, or what I will say to the players. Always to anticipate what’s coming.”
Arab News journalist Aisha Fareed with Hervé Renard during an exclusive interview. (AN Photo / Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
Renard is, in essence, consistently debating with himself — mentally rehearsing every team talk, every tactical shift, every outcome.
“As a coach, we also like the pressure,” he said, acknowledging the weight of expectation. “It’s some adrenaline, you know? The competition. If there is no pressure in football, it’s not the same.”
But there is one thing that keeps his compass steady: positivity.
“At the end, we are always thinking, we will be so happy, this is the most important (thing).”
If Renard, in the campaign, is the lone runner at the start, the Saudi crowd is the thunder that roars behind him. The energy of the supporters at home fixtures has often been transformational for his players.
“This is fantastic. Especially when we play in Jeddah,” Renard said. “The atmosphere can be incredible. But I always tell the players (that) the fans will follow us if we show them we are determined, if we are motivated. The first actions come from us.”
It’s a two-way relationship built on belief. The team feeds off the passion of the fans, and in return, the fans draw strength from the fight of their players. It’s no surprise that the memory of that famous 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup still echoes in every chant.
“Always remember this game,” Renard added, his voice trailing into nostalgia. “But the focus is to try to do the same in the near future.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming and qualification rounds nearing conclusion, Renard’s attention is firmly on the immediate task of securing Saudi Arabia’s place on the global stage once again. Recent friendlies against North Macedonia and Czechia have, according to the coach, been pivotal on and off the pitch for his squad.
“The spirit was fantastic,” Renard stressed. “We changed five players for each game, but the spirit was the same — the way we started, the way we finished. We didn’t treat them as friendlies. We were already thinking about October.”
And the evolution isn’t just about the senior squad. With Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup, the development of young talent is becoming more crucial than ever.
“The league is getting stronger,” Renard said. “So, it’s good for some Saudi players. Now they need to compete more. They are playing with very big players. That (will) bring them some experience.
“I’m sure they will get it. And they will be stronger for the future.”
Renard’s leadership is not flamboyant. It is thoughtful, relentless, and quietly commanding — like a long-distance runner who never stops moving forward. In his words and his work, there is always purpose.
“Let’s do it together,” he concluded, returning once more to that image of unity. “It’s a collaborative kind of work.”
From the quiet moments of introspection on a solitary run to the roar of the stadium in Jeddah, Renard is leading a collective sprint toward a future that holds both challenge and promise. And in true Saudi fashion, the whole nation is running with him.
