Saudi Arabia have turned to ex-Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizzi as the latest man to lead them at World Cup 2018 after last week’s swift dismissal of ex-UAE supremo Edgardo Bauza.
The Saudi Football Federation last Wednesday sacked Bauza just two months and five friendlies after his shock defection from the Whites.
This followed a terminal breakdown in relations with the Netherlands’ Bert van Maarwijk, despite him ending a wait since 2006 to feature in the globe’s grandest football tournament.
Pizzi, 49, is expected to represent the country on Friday in Moscow at the draw for next year’s event.
Pizzi replaces Edgardo Bauza who was dismissed last week.
The ex-Barcelona striker coached Chile to the 2016 Copa America title and also coached Valencia between 2013-14.
“We wanted Pizzi because of his achievements in the past and his ambitions for the future,” Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Abdel bin Mohammed Ezzat said in a statement. “We will do all we can to support him during preparations for the World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia, whose best World Cup effort came with a run to the last 16 on their tournament debut in 1994, booked their ticket for Russia by finishing second to Japan in Asian qualifying Group B.