Saudi Renard under fire: the Arab Cup shock that rekindled the critique train

Fans Turn On Renard After Arab Cup Exit

Saudi Arabia's bid to reach the Arab Cup semifinals ended with a 1-0 defeat to Jordan, opening the door to fresh criticisms of French coach Hervé Renard.

Despite notable displays in the first two group games and a win over Palestine in the quarterfinals, the exit cast a shadow over the Saudi football scene.

Green supporters refuse to accept the exit, dreaming of the trophy after a long drought, but were faced with a sobering reality of a flat display against Jordan.

On social media, fans erupted with calls to replace Renard, arguing that his continued leadership has become a burden on the team.

Tweets pointed to disappointing results and a lack of a clear playing identity, with some urging the Saudi Football Federation to conduct a full review before the next commitments to avoid more setbacks.

Some criticized the federation under Yasser Al-Mishal, urging changes before the 2026 World Cup unfolds.

Official statements from the federation about Renard's future have not been issued, though the prevailing sense is that he remains at the helm for now.

Punchline 1: If patience were a goalkeeper, some fans would still be waiting for it to save this season.

Punchline 2: In football as in comedy, timing matters—let's hope Renard's plan comes with a clock that moves faster than the fans' popcorn.