As Saudi Arabia trudged off however, Renard\u2019s time in charge of the national team came to an end, as he expectantly heads home to take over the French women\u2019s national team ahead of the World Cup in a few months’ time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaction to his departure is acutely split. Those outside Saudi Arabia look back at a successful World Cup campaign, that took in one of the biggest upsets in football history, beating world champions-to-be Argentina in the group phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the other camp, critics consider that moment as an isolated success, within a twelve-month period that has been far from a smooth ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either side of that monumental victory, Renard\u2019s Saudi Arabia have only won twice in thirteen matches over the last twelve months, scoring only seven goals. While the victory over Argentina was spellbinding, defeats in the last week to Venezuela and Bolivia are going to inevitably leave a bitter aftertaste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the last twelve months have been choppy, his reign, stretching back to 2019, can\u2019t be undersold. In succeeding two very different coaches – from the brutally effective Bert van Marwijk, to the ostentatiously open Juan Antonio Pizzi – Renard\u2019s tenure can be characterised as pragmatic, in adopting both his predecessors\u2019 methods when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n