The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has officially dismissed Hervé Renard from his position as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team. The decision was announced on April 18, 2026, following a review of the team's recent performances.
Renard, a highly respected French manager, took charge of the Saudi team in July 2023. His tenure included leading the team at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, where they were eliminated in the round of 16. The federation cited unsatisfactory results in recent matches as the primary reason for the termination of his contract.
Assistant coach Laurent Bonadéi will take over as interim manager. The SAFF stated that the search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately, with the aim of preparing the team for upcoming World Cup qualification matches.