Saudi Arabia's national team coach Georgios Donis could leave his position despite guiding the team to the Gulf Cup 27 title, according to reporting by Goal.com. The outlet reports that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation reached an agreement with Spanish coach Roberto Martinez before the tournament began, a decision that was kept quiet during the competition.
Saudi Arabia won the Gulf Cup for the fourth time in its history, defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah last Tuesday. The victory ended a long trophy drought for the national team, yet it may not be enough to secure Donis's position.
Why it matters
The situation puts the Saudi federation in an unusual position: weighing a title-winning coach against a pre-arranged agreement with a high-profile replacement. According to Goal.com, the deal with Martinez was settled at the first meeting between the federation and its president, Badr Al-Raziz, before the Gulf Cup kicked off. The information was withheld to avoid disrupting the team during the tournament.
Donis's contract runs beyond the 2027 Asian Cup, according to Goal.com, which adds another layer of complexity to any potential change. The federation now faces a decision that could shape the team's preparations for a major continental tournament on home soil.
What Saudi media is reporting
Sports journalist Ammar Bahakim discussed the matter on the program "Fi 90" on the Saudi sports channel, according to Goal.com. He said that when Badr Al-Raziz was asked whether Donis would continue, the federation president did not give a definitive answer and left the matter open for evaluation by sporting director Matt Crocker.
Bahakim stated that, based on his information, Crocker had agreed terms with Martinez before the Gulf Cup. He said the agreement was reached during the federation's first meeting with Al-Raziz, and that the information was known before the tournament but not made public to preserve the team's stability.
He also noted that Donis's contract extends past the 2027 Asian Cup and that the coach had delivered a trophy after a long absence of titles. Bahakim framed the situation as reaching its final stage, with an answer expected in the coming days rather than immediately.
Debate over a possible change
The prospect of replacing Donis with Martinez has drawn criticism from some quarters of Saudi football media. Ahmed Al-Musaibih, speaking on the same program, argued that the timing does not allow for a change, according to Goal.com. He said the mistake made with Roberto Mancini and other coaches should not be repeated, and that the current setup is working well, with the squad having absorbed Donis's approach. He added that the time remaining before the Asian Cup is very short and that bringing in someone new at this stage would not achieve anything.
Sports critic Issa Al-Joukam also attacked the direction toward replacing Donis with Martinez. In a post on the X platform, he said that if such a change happens at the first test of the relationship with the fans, it signals a shaken confidence, according to Goal.com.
Al-Joukam went further in a separate post, listing what he described as weaknesses in Martinez's record. He said that from the time Martinez took charge of Portugal in January 2023 until the team's exit from the 2026 World Cup, his tenure drew criticism over a lack of tactical identity and a reliance on individual solutions, despite winning the UEFA Nations League in 2025. Al-Joukam said Martinez was accused of failing to establish a clear playing style for Portugal, as had previously been the case with Belgium, with the team appearing to lack organized attacking plans and depending on individual moments from star players.
He also said Martinez faced sharp criticism for his heavy reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo, starting him regularly in major tournaments such as Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup regardless of his physical or technical condition, at the expense of giving opportunities to younger forwards. Al-Joukam pointed to another issue: slow substitutions. He said critics and fans complained that Martinez was late to read matches and delayed changes until the 70th to 75th minute when the team was struggling or lacking attacking threat.
Al-Joukam also mentioned rigidity in selection, saying Martinez persisted with certain names who did not deliver as hoped in some positions, such as Joao Cancelo and Pedro Neto at various points, while marginalizing others capable of making a difference. Finally, he accused Martinez of falling short in major fixtures, describing Portugal's performances against strong teams or organized defensive setups as inconsistent and disjointed, leading to eliminations or setbacks at decisive moments despite having one of Europe's best generations.
The contract and the timing
Donis's contract situation is central to the story. According to Goal.com, his deal extends beyond the 2027 Asian Cup, meaning any departure would require the federation to address the remaining terms. The same report notes that he delivered a trophy after a long wait, which complicates the case for a change on purely sporting grounds.
The timing is also delicate. The Asian Cup is less than a year away, and Saudi Arabia is set to host the tournament. Al-Musaibih's argument reflects a concern shared by some in Saudi football: that a coaching change this close to a major competition could disrupt a squad that has adapted to Donis's methods. On the other side, the reported agreement with Martinez suggests the federation had already decided on a different direction before the Gulf Cup, raising questions about how the title affects that plan.
Goal.com reports that the answer will not be announced today and that the coming days will reveal what happens. The outlet described the situation as the final chapter of the story, with two possible outcomes: Donis stays, or the federation moves ahead with Martinez.
What to watch: whether the Saudi federation confirms or denies the reported agreement with Martinez, and whether Donis remains in charge as the team begins preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup on home soil.
