BREAKING NEWS: Saudi Arabia SACK head coach Hervé Renard amid Ghana links

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has dismissed head coach Hervé Renard in a surprise move just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending his second spell in charge of the national team.

The decision was confirmed on Friday, April 17, and takes immediate effect, meaning the experienced French tactician will not lead the side into the tournament.

The federation acted through its president, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure that had been under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire, had only recently been linked with continued responsibility for the national team’s World Cup preparations.

However, reports of internal dissatisfaction had been circulating, with questions raised over form, tactical direction and squad consistency during the build-up phase.

His exit comes amid growing speculation around his future, including reported interest from Ghana, where discussions about a possible appointment had intensified in recent days.

Those links added further uncertainty around his position in Saudi Arabia before the final decision was taken.

Sources suggest the Saudi football leadership moved to act decisively as part of a broader review of the team’s readiness for the global tournament.

The timing, however, has raised eyebrows, given the limited window remaining for any replacement to settle into the role and stabilise preparations.

Renard’s departure marks a significant setback for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup ambitions. The team had been working under his structure and tactical framework, and the sudden change now leaves the federation racing to appoint a successor capable of quickly restoring continuity.

The federation is yet to announce an interim coach or permanent replacement, but attention is already turning to potential internal solutions as well as short-term foreign appointments with international tournament experience.

For Renard, the dismissal adds another dramatic chapter to a coaching career defined by both continental triumphs and high-pressure national team assignments.

For Saudi Arabia, it opens a period of uncertainty at one of the most critical moments in their World Cup cycle.