Saudi Arabia’s Donis future remains uncertain despite dismissal denial

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has denied reports that Greece manager Georgios Donis is set to be dismissed, but the statement has not ended speculation over the coach’s position.

Reports had claimed the federation had decided to remove Donis and appoint Roberto Martinez, the former Portugal manager, to lead Saudi Arabia at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

The reports prompted a strong reaction from Saudi supporters, who opposed the prospect of Donis leaving and called for him to remain in charge for longer. Their support followed Saudi Arabia’s victory in Gulf Cup 27, which ended a 23-year wait for the national team to win the competition.

The federation issued a statement on Thursday confirming that Donis would continue in his role for the coming period and rejecting the reports that he could be dismissed.

However, the announcement has not provided conclusive evidence that the Greek will remain in charge. Doubts have been fuelled by the federation’s handling of Herve Renard before his departure as Saudi Arabia manager in April.

On 1 April, only two weeks before Renard was dismissed, the federation denied that it intended to remove the Frenchman before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

That was not the first time the federation had rejected reports of Renard’s imminent departure. It had also denied the possibility before Saudi Arabia’s friendly against Serbia in Belgrade in March. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for Saudi Arabia.

Despite those two denials, Renard ultimately left his position and Donis was appointed as his replacement.

That sequence of events has raised concerns that Donis could depart in a similar manner: following an official statement from the federation denying that he is about to be dismissed.

The coming period therefore represents an important stage in Saudi Arabia’s development under Donis. He was unable to guide the team beyond the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, but subsequently led them to the Gulf Cup 27 title.

That triumph was the first Gulf Cup success in Saudi Arabia’s history for 23 years and strengthened calls for Donis to be given additional time in charge.

For now, the federation’s position is that Donis remains manager. Yet the earlier denials surrounding Renard mean the latest statement has done little to remove the uncertainty surrounding the Greek coach’s future.