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Donis: my goal is to restore Saudi Arabia to the throne of Asia, and I will not abandon my style!

The Greek coach has finally spoken about the next stage.

Saudi Arabia’s national team exited the 2026 World Cup at an early stage, but Greek coach Georgios Donis does not see that as the end of the road. Instead, he views it as the beginning of a fresh phase in which he hopes to build a team capable of bringing the Kingdom back to its former standing. His main objective is already defined: the 2027 Asian Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host early next year.

In remarks to the official website of the Asian Football Confederation, Donis outlined his technical plans and explained how he intends to reshape the national team after the World Cup. He made it clear that the upcoming period will be different in every respect.

Long experience: Donis’s main strength

Donis said that his long years working in Saudi football are among the most important reasons he believes his national team project can succeed. His coaching experience in the domestic league, he explained, has given him a strong understanding of the mentality of the Saudi player.

The Greek coach said he does not evaluate players based on nationality or reputation, but only according to what the team requires. Every coach has his own philosophy, he added, and his role is to find the correct balance between the nature of the Saudi player and the style of football he wants to implement.

World Cup lessons and the beginning of the search for the ideal team

Donis admitted that the World Cup helped him form a clearer picture of his players, especially after the team collected only two points from three matches, following a draw with Uruguay, a defeat to Spain and a draw with Cape Verde.

In his view, the national team does not automatically need the biggest names, but rather the most cohesive group, one that can carry out tactical instructions effectively. He pointed out that having standout individuals does not always mean having a strong team.

He added that his main mission in the next period is to build a side that is balanced both technically and in personality, and one that is capable of applying the coaching staff’s ideas on the field. He underlined that fine margins, along with mutual trust between the coach and the players, will be decisive to achieving success.

Asian Cup... the biggest target

Donis is fully aware of the scale of the pressure ahead. Saudi Arabia have gone more than 30 years without winning the continental title, and with this edition set to be played on home soil, expectations from supporters and the media will be even higher.

He believes media pressure is a natural part of the job and should serve as motivation rather than become a burden on the players during the tournament. He also stressed the need to prepare the squad mentally before the Asian Cup begins.

A period of intense work lies ahead before the competition. Donis wants to create a real connection between the experienced players in the squad and the younger generation, shaping the national team into one united group with a single identity on the pitch.

Youth at the centre of the new project

Donis revealed that the coming phase will rely more heavily on younger players. He noted that the World Cup saw limited involvement from youth elements, but said he intends to change that in the period to come.

He believes Saudi football has a wealth of talent. According to Donis, the development of the Roshn League in recent years has improved the quality of players and given him broader choices as he looks to assemble a team capable of competing strongly.

He also said success will not depend only on the senior national team. In his opinion, it requires a unified football philosophy across all age-group teams, so that when a player reaches the senior side, he already arrives with the same ideas and understanding.

Donis concluded by saying that age will not determine his selections. His criteria will be based on technical and mental quality, as well as a player’s ability to serve the national team.

He stressed that the door will remain open to every player without exception. Anyone who proves he has the talent, discipline and ability to carry out what is required will receive his opportunity, because the ultimate aim remains unchanged: to return the Saudi national team to the podium of continental champions once again.