The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has re-appointed Frenchman Herve Renard as national team coach team in place of Roberto Mancini, reports Reuters. The 56-year-old specialist, who led the Saudis from 2019 to 2023, takes over from the Italian Mancini, who left on Thursday by mutual consent after 14 months at the helm, BTA reports.
"I'm back," said Renard, dressed in traditional local robes, in a video posted on the Saudi national team's social media account. "His contract runs until the end of 2025 with an option to extend until the 2027 Asian Cup," the local federation said in a statement.
Renard left her job in Saudi Arabia to lead France's women's team at the World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I had no intention of leaving. But when your country knocks on your door, you have to answer," he says in the video.
During his first spell, Renard led Saudi Arabia to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where the team surprisingly defeated eventual champions Argentina in their first match.
He will start work immediately as the team's next World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Indonesia are in November. Saudi Arabia is in third place in Group C after the third round of World Cup qualifiers in the Asia zone with five points. The team is five points behind group leader Japan after four games.