‘He’s back’: Herve Renard returns as Saudi Arabia national team head coach

Short Url
Updated 27 October 2024
Follow

‘He’s back’: Herve Renard returns as Saudi Arabia national team head coach

  • It will be the second spell in charge of the Green Falcons for the Frenchman

RIYADH: Herve Renard has made a surprise return as coach of the Saudi Arabia national team, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Saturday.

“I’m back,” Renard said in a social media video posted by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.

It will be the second spell in charge of the Green Falcons for the Frenchman.

Renard led the national team to a memorable 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup but left in March last year to take over France’s women’s team.

The 56-year-old stepped down from the role in August following France’s quarter-final exit to Brazil at the Paris Olympics.

Italy’s Roberto Mancini took over from Renard as Saudi coach but his contract was ended by mutual agreement with the federation on Thursday after 14 months due to poor results.

“I did not intend to leave (Saudi). But when your country knocks on your door you have to respond,” Renard said in the video.  “My connection with Saudi, the fans, the players and all the memories — I can never forget. I did not finish my story with Saudi.”

Renard’s contract will run until the end of 2025 with an option to extend until the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Mancini was hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 having led Italy to victory at the 2021 European Championship. But the serial trophy winner was quickly under pressure after an underwhelming Asian Cup in January and an exit in the round of 16.

In Asia’s third round of World Cup qualifying that started in September, Saudi Arabia has collected just five points from four games. This month at home it lost to Japan 2-0 and drew with Bahrain 0-0.

It left Saudi Arabia third place in the six-team group. The top two qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed finishers progress to the fourth stage.

Renard’s first game back in charge is against Australia in Melbourne on Nov. 14.

(With AP)


Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown

  • Fighting in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in Bin Moammar’s career
  • Saudi fighter says his connection to combat sports began long before joining PFL

RIAYDH: Saudi fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar continues his preparations for his second bout in the Professional Fighters League – Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for July 4 in Riyadh.

The event is part of a major promotion organized by the PFL, featuring a strong lineup of top regional fighters — a large crowd is expected.

Bin Moammar said returning to fight in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in his career: “Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another match — it’s a responsibility. This is my city, where I grew up. My real fans are here. Fighting in front of them gives me a different kind of energy. There’s no room for complacency or backing down.”

He said that his connection to combat sports began long before joining the PFL, but his debut with the organization significantly expanded his visibility and fan base.

“I had a decent following before joining, but after my first fight in Jeddah, I felt a real surge in engagement. People started to recognize me more, follow me, and anticipate my next fights,” the Saudi fighter said.

The fight in Jeddah was an important first step for Bon Moammar who said: “It gave me confidence, and winning lit a fire inside me to keep going. But now in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger, and expectations are higher.”

Discussing his current training, the fighter revealed that he is in the middle of an intense local training camp in Riyadh, dedicating nearly all his time to preparation.

“Full focus on training has kept me away from my family, but I believe every moment of sacrifice now will pay off later. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting, but I’m determined to bring the best version of myself into the cage,” he said.

He further promised his fans “to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport.”

Bin Moammar knows the road is long and that professionalism is not easy but said: “I’m ready to walk it to the end. Your support is my greatest weapon.”


San Francisco 49ers host first community event in UAE

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

San Francisco 49ers host first community event in UAE

  • Event features flag football coaching session in Dubai
  • 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE

DUBAI: The San Francisco 49ers have made history by becoming the first NFL franchise to host an event in the UAE. It followed the announcement that the league had granted the 49ers marketing, fan engagement, and commercial rights in the market.

The event — which featured a flag football coaching session and youth flag football clinic in Dubai — highlights the club’s continued investment in youth athletics and the growth of flag football worldwide in the lead-up to the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

The initiative builds on the team’s success in other global markets, including the UK and Mexico in which the 49ers’ local fan base has grown by at least 50 percent. The 49ers have hosted more than 50 community events in the UK and Mexico since 2021, leaving a lasting impact on local youngsters.

Tuesday’s event was held at GEMS World Academy Senior School, which is part of the largest network of schools in the UAE, serving 125,000 students.

The day began with staff from the 49ers training more than two dozen physical education teachers in the fundamentals of coaching flag football. Then around 30 students, aged 10-11, participated in a flag football clinic, enjoying different NFL-themed practice drills and an introduction to flag tag. Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the 49ers, also made a special appearance to engage with students and interact with fans.

Stephanie Rogers, executive vice president of marketing for the 49ers, said the occasion marked “an exciting milestone in the 49ers’ global fandom journey.”

She added: “We’re thrilled to see so much local enthusiasm for the San Francisco 49ers and flag football. We have been warmly welcomed by the community and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with future fans and partners here.

“Our commitment is not just about flag participation but about creating a journey for youth development. Across a combination of in-person events, digital activations and community initiatives, we aspire to share the storied history of the 49ers with the UAE.”

Elevate recently announced its role as the 49ers’ agency of record for global marketing efforts, after acquiring Rise Group, the Middle East’s sports and entertainment agency. The partnership will strengthen the team’s ability to make a meaningful impact in the UAE.

Dave McCann, partner at Rise Group, said: “The 49ers are synonymous with innovation and community engagement, and we look forward to unlocking more opportunities for both the team and MENA (Middle East and North Africa region) partners as we continue to grow in the region.

“We’re excited to help shape the future for both the 49ers and flag football in the UAE.”

The 49ers are also announcing the launch of their Arabic social media channels —  on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook — during their visit to further engage with local communities.


Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico

  • The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage
  • Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city

SAN DIEGO: The Saudi Arabian national football team touched down in San Diego on Tuesday morning as they prepare for their high-stakes CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown against Mexico on Saturday.

The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage in a debut Gold Cup campaign that has seen them reach the knockout rounds at the first time of asking.

Herve Renard’s side finished second in Group D behind hosts the US, having secured crucial results including a pivotal draw against Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend.

The upcoming clash with Group A winners Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is expected to draw a large crowd.

Upon arrival in San Diego, Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city.

The team is scheduled to reconvene at their training base later on Tuesday evening.

Preparations for the quarterfinal will intensify on Wednesday, with a closed training session planned for 6:00 p.m. local time.

Saudi Arabia, invited as a guest nation for this edition of the Gold Cup, now seek to upset nine-time champions Mexico in their pursuit of an unprecedented semifinal berth.


Club World Cup prize money does not mean more pressure: Chelsea boss Maresca

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Club World Cup prize money does not mean more pressure: Chelsea boss Maresca

  • If Chelsea, as one of the 12 European representatives, go on to win the trophy on July 13, they can take home around $125m as a cash reward.
  • “The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” Maresca told reporters

PHILADELPHIA: Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that the club’s owners are not putting extra pressure on him to win the Club World Cup as a result of the enormous financial incentives on offer at FIFA’s new tournament.

World football’s governing body has dangled the carrot of a total $1 billion in prize money to the 32 competing teams in the United States.

If Chelsea, as one of the 12 European representatives, go on to win the trophy on July 13, they can take home around $125 million (£92.4m) as a cash reward.

That could give the Stamford Bridge side a considerable advantage over many of their English and European rivals going forward into next season.

However, Maresca claims money has not come up in discussions with the club’s hierarchy around the ongoing competition.

“The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” the Italian told reporters in Philadelphia ahead of Tuesday’s match against Esperance of Tunis.

“They never put pressure on me or the players in terms of we need to win this tournament because of the money.”

Chelsea must avoid defeat against the Tunisian four-time African champions in order to qualify for the last 16 from Group D.

That is after they were beaten 3-1 by Brazilian giants Flamengo in their last game, when Maresca appeared to prioritize tactical experiments over the need for results.

Playing Cole Palmer on the right of a front three was not a success, as the England international struggled to make a big impact on the game.

“Off the ball Cole was defending a little more wide, but the position on the ball was exactly the same position as during the season,” Maresca explained.

“If it is a good moment or not to try new things, I don’t know. But we also are here to think about the future, and to try different systems.

“Last year we played three or four different systems during the season. The idea is to continue to evolve and improve, and to try different things.”

Philadelphia is sweating under a fierce heatwave at the moment, and while the 9:00 p.m. local time kick-off on Wednesday should mean that is not a huge factor for the game itself, it has made preparations tricky.

“It is almost impossible to train because of the weather. Now we are just trying to save energy for the game,” said Maresca, who is likely to rotate his squad and make numerous changes to the starting line-up.

Striker Nicolas Jackson is suspended after being sent off against Flamengo having come on as a substitute only a few minutes earlier.

Chelsea won their opening match at the tournament, defeating Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, before the reverse at the hands of Flamengo.

Esperance bounced back from a defeat to the Brazilians as they beat LAFC 1-0 in Nashville in their last outing — that is the only victory so far in six matches at this Club World Cup for a North African team.

If Chelsea go through they will head to Charlotte for a last-16 tie on Saturday against the winners of Group C, which could be Bayern Munich.

“If we go through we can talk about Bayern,” said Maresca. “In this moment it has to be about tomorrow. Football is full of surprises.”

Maher Kanzari, the coach of the Tunisian champions, said his team were ready for a ‘historical’ battle against the Blues.

“We are prepared and we have to fulfil the expectations of our technical team, of our fans, of the Tunisian public. It will be a historical game,” he said.

“We will be well prepared, especially mentally. Everyone is waiting for this game and we are really proud of what we have achieved so far.

“Hopefully we will do what it takes.”


Wimbledon plan to honor Murray with statue

Updated 24 June 2025
Follow

Wimbledon plan to honor Murray with statue

  • Wimbledon hope the statue will be revealed in 2027
  • “He’s got to rightly be very involved in that and him and his team will be,” Jevans said

LONDON: Wimbledon organizers are planning to honor two-time champion Andy Murray with a statue at the All England Club.

Murray, who ended a 77-year wait for a British winner of the men’s singles title in 2013 before winning again in 2016, retired after the Paris Olympics last year.

Wimbledon hope the statue will be revealed in 2027 during the championship’s 150th anniversary.

“We are looking to have a statue of Andy Murray here (Wimbledon) and we’re working closely with him and his team,” All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast.

“The ambition is that we would unveil that at the 150th anniversary of our first Championship, which was 1877.

“He’s got to rightly be very involved in that and him and his team will be.”

A bronze statue of Fred Perry, the last British men’s champion before Murray, was erected at Wimbledon in 1984 to mark the 50th anniversary of his first singles championship.

Tennis greats John McEnroe and Billie Jean King are among those that have previously called for Murray to be honored in similar fashion at Wimbledon.