Saudi Arabia officially appointed Georgios Donis as head coach and fired Hervé Renard on Thursday, with less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 56-year-old Donis, a former Greece international, comes from Al-Khaleej, one of the many Saudi Pro League clubs he has coached.
“He has extensive experience in the competition, including his most recent position (which) enhances his ability to adapt quickly,” the Saudi Football Federation said in its announcement.
Saudi Arabia opens its Group H match at the World Cup against Uruguay on June 15. It also plays against Spain and Cape Verde.
Donis was a long-time Panathinaikos midfielder who also played in England for Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. He also coached Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, among others.
The appointment ends Renard’s second spell after he returned to Riyadh in October 2024 to replace Roberto Mancini.
The Frenchman, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, came under pressure after a 0-4 friendly defeat to Egypt and a 1-2 loss to Serbia.
Renard’s first stint included Saudi Arabia’s famous 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Published on April 24, 2026
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