Arab Cup Fallout: Former Saudi Coach Demands Renard Be Held Accountable

Context and Accountability Call

Youssef Anbar, the former Saudi national team coach, has urged accountability for French coach Hervé Renard, the Greens' current boss, following the failure to reach the Arab Cup final.

Saudi Arabia were beaten 1-0 by Jordan on Monday night in the semi-finals of the tournament, leaving all hopes of a third-place finish against the UAE, who had lost 0-3 to Morocco.

Anbar told the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhiah that if the decision were his, he would rearrange the pieces and adjust the tactical setup with the coach, holding him accountable for the Arab Cup mistakes.

He added that the phase should be viewed as a corrective step at the player level and set the targets for the next World Cup.

Anbar also warned that time does not tolerate rash decisions, as only a few months remain before the World Cup and the Green need stability.

Punchline: If accountability were a goal, this Arab Cup would finally score.

Punchline: Time is so tight that even the World Cup needs a calendar invite.