‘Next James Bond’: Saudi football coach stuns fans

Football fans spent much of the Australia-Saudi Arabia clash swooning over the visitors’ coach — who some have predicted will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Saudi coach Herve Renard looks like he should be riding a horse on a beach somewhere. Photo: Twitter

Australia and Saudi Arabia played out a frustrating scoreless draw in the World Cup qualifying clash in Parramatta on Thursday night.

But while Aussie fans and commentators raged over the tactics from Saudi Arabia, some fans were more taken by the visitors’ coach.

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53-year-old French coach Herve Renard played 215 games as a professional player before moving into coaching at the end of his career.

He has since coached Zambia and the Ivory Coast to African Cup of Nations victories, and qualified for the 2018 World Cup with Morocco.

But in 2019, he became the manager of Saudi Arabia and has held the role since.

The draw with Australia means that Saudi Arabia are still undefeated in qualifying and lead the Aussies in Group B at the halfway point of the qualifying campaign.

The top two teams go straight into the World Cup.

But some Aussie fans were less taken by his resume and more his good looks.

It’s not a new development either. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Wearing a fitted white shirt, it didn’t take long for the manager’s movie star looks to catch the attention of social media.

Fox Sports’ Matt Russell tweeted: “The Saudi coach could be the next James Bond.”

And rugby league caller Chris Warren added: “Or slimline Arnie”.

Sportswriter Richard Hinds added: “Don’t fall for the Saudi coach. Classic case of handsomewashing.”

Jamie Lannister is hiding out in Saudi Arabia https://t.co/bu3FUOQ2P2

— Aaron Wallace (@wallyscr) November 11, 2021

Model by day, Saudi coach by night #AUSvKSApic.twitter.com/DTiD5Xz9G9

— TAB (@tabcomau) November 11, 2021

Hervé Renard just oozes swag. You can't pretend otherwise. #AUSvKSA

— Joey Lynch (@joeylynchy) November 11, 2021

Hervè Renard is just pure vibes. #AUSvKSA

— Nick D'Urbano (@NickDurbano_) November 11, 2021

Who let 007 on the Saudi bench? #Herve#AUSvKSA

— Cath Durkin (@CDurkinFOX) November 11, 2021

But while some fans were taken by the Renard’s good looks, there were much less impressed by his tactics.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says his team became frustrated over the “time wasting and the tactics” from Saudi Arabia, as there were lengthy stoppages as Saudi players stayed on the ground after on-field challenges.

Aussie football commentators on Thursday night were scathing of the behaviour from the visiting team as they desperately tried to hold on against a Socceroos side that was pressing hard early in the second half.

Arnold said post-game: “I think a little bit of frustration set in that with the time wasting and the tactics from the Saudis. You know we have to learn to be better with that. I think that was when they got a couple of their chances.”

Australian journalist Ben McKay posted on Twitter: “Saudi Arabian s***housery is so ordinary yet so brazen it simply must be applauded.”

Others accused the Saudi players of diving.

Originally published as ‘Next James Bond’: Saudi football coach stuns fans