Saudi Arabia Appoints Donis as National Team Coach

Saudi Arabia's football federation announced on Thursday the appointment of Georgios Donis as the new head coach of the national team, replacing Herve Renard less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 56-year-old Greek coach, who steps into international management for the first time, joins from Saudi Pro League club Al Khaleej, where he began his tenure in 2024. His contract with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) extends until July 2027. Donis brings extensive experience from both Greece and Saudi Arabia, having managed prominent clubs such as AEK Athens, Panathinaikos and Al-Hilal during his career. At Al-Hilal in 2016, he secured the King Cup of Champions, Saudi Super Cup and Saudi Crown Prince Cup. As a player, Donis earned 24 caps for Greece and became the first Greek to play in the English Premier League, appearing for Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.

The move follows the federation's decision earlier in April to part ways with Renard after disappointing results in recent friendlies, including a 4-0 loss to Egypt and a 2-1 defeat to Serbia. Renard, a Frenchman renowned for...