JEDDAH: Portuguese Jose Peseiro is to take over as the coach of Saudi national team, replacing Nasser Al-Johar who has resigned under increasing media pressure in light of major setbacks the squad suffered in the Gulf Cup and World Cup 2010 Asia qualifying tournament.
Peseiro, who has had stints in charge of Sporting, Panathinaikos and Rapid Bucharest, would arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to an official of the Saudi Football Federation. The 48-year-old becomes Saudi Arabia’s 20th coach since 1994.
Johar, who led the Saudis to the 2002 World Cup finals, quit in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to North Korea last week in a 2010 World Cup qualifier, which left them second from bottom in Group B with four matches remaining.
At the Gulf Cup last month, Saudi Arabia lost the final match on penalty kicks against host Oman. The top two in each group earn automatic berths at South Africa 2010.
