MENA Sports Wrap: Renard returns to Saudi, Gerrard under fire, esports on the rise

Saudi Arabia's sports scene is abuzz with Herve Renard returning as national coach, Steven Gerrard facing scrutiny as Al-Ettifaq manager, and major investments positioning the kingdom as a global esports hub.

Renard resumes his role as the Green Falcons' manager following Roberto Mancini's exit, eager to continue the journey that began when he guided Saudi Arabia to their historic win over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Gerrard is under pressure after Al-Ettifaq's poor league form, and Saudi officials eye the gaming industry as the next frontier, with plans to make esports a core part of the national economy.

Renard back to coach Saudi Arabia after Mancini exits

Saudi Arabia reappointed Frenchman Herve Renard as manager of the men's national team, replacing Roberto Mancini who departed last month, the country's football federation announced this week.

The 56-year-old, who was in charge of the Saudis from 2019 to 2023, takes over from the Italian who left the position on Thursday by mutual agreement after 14 months in the job.

"I am back," Renard said in a video published on the Saudi national team's X social media account.

His contract runs until the end of 2025 with an option to extend through the 2027 Asian Cup, the team said in a statement.

Renard had left his job with the Saudis to lead France's women's team at the World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

During his first spell in the job, he led Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they shocked the football world by beating eventual champions Argentina in their opening game.

"I did not finish my story with Saudi yet. And thank God, I am back," he added.

He will resume his duties with the Saudis on 27 October, with their next World Cup qualifiers away to Australia and Indonesia in November kicking off his second stint, the team added.

Saudi Arabia are third in Group C of Asia's third round of World Cup preliminaries with five points - another five points behind group leaders in Japan after four matches.

لقد عاد 💚 pic.twitter.com/0UCpBG7FtW

— المنتخب السعودي (@SaudiNT) October 26, 2024

Gerrard facing sack from Saudi Pro League 

Steven Gerrard is fighting for his job as manager of Al-Ettifaq after another slow start to the Saudi Pro League season.

The Englishman is allegedly facing the sack after a poor run in the league was compounded by an embarrassing cup exit to Al-Jabalain, who play in the second tier of Saudi football.

Gerrard’s team were thumped 3-1 by the Ha'il-based minnows, with the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager coming under scrutiny after benching star striker Moussa Dembele.

The former Liverpool and England legend is now 16 months into an eye-watering £15.2 million-per-year contract with Al-Ettifaq, yet fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Gerrard’s star-studded team winning only three of their first eight matches.

The Damman-based club currently sit 10th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the relegation zone, despite having a squad full of experienced, big-money talent.

Al-Ettifaq are not one of the Big Four clubs owned by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), however, the Saudi ministry of sport has invested millions in the club to lure players such as ex-Liverpool midfielder and Champions League-winner Georginio Wijnaldum, as well as former Everton ace Demarei Gray.

Despite finishing sixth last season, Gerrard's side were a staggering 48 points behind league champions Al-Hilal.

Fan frustration at the former Liverpool legend was compounded after he revealed to The Redmen TV that he plans his training around Liverpool fixtures, so he and his staff are able to watch his former team, with sessions pushed back to late at night.

One fan, writing on X, said: "I’ve been watching and following Al-Ettifaq since 2001, honestly he’s the worst coach who came to the club."

"I truly believe he’s not even a coach. He lacks everything, tactics, spirit, motivation, and even worse his press statements are awful."

Esports the future, insists Saudi Arabia, after major investments

Saudi Arabia will become a esports hub in the coming years, a top Riyadh official has said, as the country continues to expand its sporting portfolio into the virtual world.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, told the Future Investment Initiative - aka Davos in the Desert - that esports is now one of the 'most watched sports' in the world with a new generation as likely to watch virtual competitions than the NFL or Olympics.

"They've known esports from birth," he told the investment forum.

He wants Saudi Arabia to join Japan, South Korea, and the US as being a hub for the esports industry.

"We want Saudi Arabia to be a natural part of the conversation," the prince added. "When you think about a career path in this industry, you think about coming to Saudi as much as you think about going to any of those other countries."

'Team Saudi' is the body he envisions to drive through these changes and could complement Riyadh's efforts to diversify its economy through the growth of high-tech industries via attracting talent and investment.

Saudi Arabia held the 2024 Esports World Cup this summer with a purse of a whopping $62.5 million, along with other investments in gaming and tech companies.

The prince believes the gaming industry could be worth $21 billion and around one percent of Riyadh's GDP could be made up of esports and video games by 2030.