A Saudi Arabian Football Federation source denied reports of a deal with Roberto Martinez to replace Georgios Donis as national team coach, while multiple sources told Asharq Al-Awsat an agreement had been reached before Donis led Saudi Arabia to the Arabian Gulf Cup triumph.
The federation source told Asharq Al-Awsat that reports of an agreement with the Spaniard, who previously coached Belgium and Portugal, were untrue. Donis recently guided Saudi Arabia to the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup title in Jeddah.
Despite the federation’s assurances that Donis would stay, multiple sources said a deal with Martinez had been struck before the tournament. The Greek coach’s title triumph, however, could prompt the federation to reassess his future and scrap plans to finalize Martinez’s appointment.
Those sources said Matt Crocker, the federation’s technical director, had agreed terms with Martinez for a four-year stint at an annual salary of about 13 million euros. Their account directly contradicts the federation source’s denial.
A source in the national team’s management told Asharq Al-Awsat that Donis remained in charge, based on the information available to him. He said he knew of no plans for the Greek coach to leave or arrangements to terminate his contract.
The federation appointed Donis before the 2026 World Cup finals on a one-year contract that expires next June. His Gulf Cup success has reopened questions about whether he will stay for the next phase, with Saudi Arabia set to host the 2027 Asian Cup.
Asked about Donis’s future after the Gulf Cup triumph, federation President Bader Al-Ruzayza told Asharq Al-Awsat: “These are technical decisions, not ours. Ultimately, any decision concerning Donis comes from the technical side, whether the technical director or the relevant staff. We do not know what will happen, but Donis is with us, and you have seen what he has delivered.”
On the team’s tournament performance, he said: “Ultimately, there will be a technical assessment of the performance, and that is what we will look at, God willing.”
His comments leave the coaching question open. Despite the triumph in Jeddah, Al-Ruzayza offered no firm assurance that Donis would stay and gave no indication of plans to change the coaching staff, leaving the decision to a technical assessment.
Saudi Arabia claimed its fourth Gulf Cup title by beating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in last Tuesday’s final at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The victory ended a wait for the trophy stretching back to 2003.
Donis’s side won all three group games, edged Qatar on penalties in the semifinals and beat the UAE in the final, keeping clean sheets in all five matches.
It was a major morale boost for the Greek coach, who entered the tournament facing questions over the team’s performance and left with the trophy. That turnaround could weigh on the forthcoming assessment of his future.
Fans rallied behind Donis on social media on Thursday morning, calling for the federation to drop plans to appoint Martinez and keep the Greek coach. They pointed to his excellent relationships with the players and coaching strengths suited to their abilities.
Jordan’s Moroccan coach Badou Zaki said his team would face Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Dec. 27 as both sides prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5.
Saudi Arabia has been drawn in Group A with Palestine, Oman and Kuwait. The hosts open against Palestine on Jan. 7, face Oman on Jan. 12 and finish the group stage against Kuwait on Jan. 17.
Saudi Arabia will also play South Korea and Uzbekistan in friendlies during the November international window as part of its Asian Cup preparations.
