Saudi Arabia officially appointed Georgios Donis as head coach on Thursday, firing Hervé Renard, with less than two months before the start of FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 56-year-old Donis, a former Greece international, joins from Al-Khaleej, one of several Saudi Pro League clubs he’s coached.

“He has extensive experience in the league, including his most recent post (which) enhances his ability to adapt quickly,” the Saudi soccer federation said in its announcement.

Saudi Arabia opens its Group H play at the World Cup against Uruguay on June 15. It also plays Spain and Cape Verde.

Donis was a longtime Panathinaikos midfielder who also played in England for Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. He has also coached Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, among others.

The appointment brings Renard’s second spell to an end 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 following a 0-4 friendly loss to Egypt and a 1-2 defeat to Serbia.

Renard’s first spell included Saudi Arabia’s famous 2-1 victory over eventual champion Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

Published on Apr 24, 2026