Saudi Arabia’s Donis dilemma raises questions over Asian Cup plans

Saudi Arabia’s decision to consider dismissing Greece coach Georgios Donis, despite ultimately not making the change, has exposed deeper concerns about the way the national team is being managed.

The uncertainty emerged only three months before Saudi Arabia hosts the Asian Cup early next year. If the intention was to replace Donis, the timing has raised questions over why the move was not made before the Arabian Gulf Cup, which could have served as a trial competition for a new manager ahead of the continental tournament.

The episode reflects a pattern that has affected Saudi football for years. One of the most notable examples came two decades ago, when Argentina manager Gabriel Calderon was dismissed just seven months before the 2006 World Cup.

Calderon had guided Saudi Arabia to qualification for the tournament without suffering a defeat. However, he was removed after a 5-1 friendly loss to Iraq, despite fielding a second-string side.

That approach continued with the national team, with French manager Herve Renard becoming its most recent victim. He was dismissed approximately two months before the 2026 World Cup.

Was the Gulf Cup triumph unexpected?

The Saudi Football Federation may have denied Donis had been dismissed because no formal decision was made. However, reports suggested the manager was close to losing his post if Saudi Arabia faltered during the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the federation had already reached an agreement with Spanish manager Roberto Martinez to take charge of the national team for the next four years, on an annual salary of 13m euros.

That prompted Saudi broadcaster Walid Al-Farraj to ask whether the national team’s Arabian Gulf Cup victory had been “ مجرد صدفة” simply a coincidence.

If an agreement with Martinez had been reached before the tournament, with the Spaniard due to take over afterwards, the implication would be that the federation did not expect Donis to lead Saudi Arabia to the title. That would suggest the triumph was not part of the federation’s plan, but happened unexpectedly.

Martinez appointment questioned

The broader concern is the federation’s continued preference for high-profile international names, regardless of whether their recent records justify such appointments.

Martinez did lead Portugal to victory in the 2025 UEFA Nations League, but his other major results have been less convincing. Portugal were eliminated by the quarter-final stage of Euro 2024 and by the last 16 at the World Cup, without producing performances expected from the so-called “Brazil of Europe”.

During his six years with Belgium, Martinez also failed to win a trophy with a golden generation of players. Belgium were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The federation must now close the matter quickly and ensure its denial becomes a firm position, allowing the team to concentrate on the Asian Cup.

The 19th edition will be held in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, from 7 January to 5 February next year.

Saudi Arabia are seeking a fourth Asian Cup title and their first in 30 years, since their most recent triumph in 1996. To achieve that goal, the federation must fully back Donis and give him the stability needed to build on his Arabian Gulf Cup success at continental level.