Renard joins Mourinho in the dark tunnel of the greats
Hervé Renard has followed José Mourinho into the dark tunnel of the greats. The French coach, who led Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, has been sacked by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after a disappointing run of results.
The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, just months before the 2026 World Cup. Renard had returned to the Saudi national team in 2024, but the second spell did not live up to expectations.
Renard’s dismissal comes less than a month after Mourinho was shown the door at Fenerbahçe. The Portuguese manager was sacked on 20 January 2025 following a poor run in the Turkish Süper Lig. Both men now find themselves out of work, searching for their next challenge.
The Saudi Federation released a short statement thanking Renard for his efforts. “We appreciate the work Hervé has done during his time with the national team,” the statement read. “But results in recent matches have not met the targets we set. We have decided to part ways.”
Renard’s first stint with Saudi Arabia was a success. He led the Green Falcons to a famous victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That win put Saudi football on the map. But his second spell was plagued by poor performances and early exits in regional tournaments.
Mourinho, meanwhile, has been linked with several clubs since leaving Fenerbahçe. The 62-year-old has not yet announced his next move. Renard, 56, is also expected to attract interest from national teams and clubs across Europe and Africa.
Both coaches now walk the same path. The dark tunnel of the greats, where legends wait for their next chance to shine.
