Saudi National Team Eyes Saad Al-Shehri as New Coach: Fresh Start on the Horizon

Context

Saad Al-Shehri, the head coach of Al-Ettifaq, is nearing a move to take charge of the Saudi national team, succeeding Frenchman Hervé Renard.

Okaz newspaper reported that the Saudi Football Federation contacted Al-Shehri directly.

In related updates, Saleh Omar Al-Ahmad, a member of Saudi Arabia's sports media federation, said Al-Shehri has tentatively agreed to coach the Green.

Developments

Al-Ahmad added on X that Al-Shehri provided provisional consent to lead the national team in the coming phase.

The official decision is expected after the Green's clash with Serbia on Tuesday, with Renard's future in the balance—will he stay or depart?

Pressure on the federation to replace Renard has grown following a 0-4 loss to Egypt last Friday.

What’s Next

Also read: Officially… Al-Ahli Jeddah sanctioned over five water bottles.

Punchline 1: If this plan goes through, we’ll finally get a tactical plan that fits on a teleprompter.

Punchline 2: And if it fails, well, at least the press conference will be entertaining—like a suspense thriller with a whistle.