Hervé Renard expected to ask to leave Saudi Arabia job | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Hervé Renard is expected to ask to leave his role as Saudi Arabia head coach, with the decision likely to come from him amid a context he no longer recognises.

A 0-4 defeat to Egypt on 27 March was followed by a 1-2 loss to Serbia on Tuesday in Backa Topola, where Saudi Arabia led before being overhauled after the break. Saudi outlets had trailed the prospect of his dismissal even before the Serbia friendly, three months before the World Cup, though he has been backed by the federation president.

He took Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup and stunned Argentina 2-1, then returned after leading France's women in 2023-2024. He replaced Roberto Mancini and clinched World Cup qualification, but found a very different squad.

Domestic rules now allow clubs to field eight foreign players, and 11 in Asian competition, leaving leading locals short of game time and rhythm. He has voiced those concerns internally and has struggled to embed his ideas.

As with Walid Regragui, who left Morocco before the World Cup, Renard could ask to go, even if his president wants him to stay. A separation now looks possible.

If he departs, he could yet be in the United States, with Ghana, newly parted from Otto Addo, likely to sound him out. He started there as Claude Le Roy's assistant, then won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia. A move would offer a third straight World Cup after Morocco in 2018, but for now nothing is settled.

Source: L'Équipe