Saudi Arabia coaching search clarified after Deschamps and Martinez approaches

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation says Georgios Donis will remain in charge of the national team, despite reports that it had considered a number of high-profile alternatives.

Speculation in recent days suggested the federation was negotiating with several managers to lead the “Green Falcons”. However, an official statement confirmed that Donis will continue as part of the team’s technical leadership.

According to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, the federation was offered the services of former France manager Didier Deschamps and Spain coach Roberto Martinez after the World Cup.

Those proposals were presented to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation but were not discussed, the report said. The first reason was to give Donis time to lead the team at the Gulf Cup.

The second was the administrative transition between the Al-Meshal and Al-Razizah periods, during which several matters and coaching files were put on hold.

Donis guided Saudi Arabia to their fourth Gulf Cup title, with the team beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final.