Saudi Arabia Considers Tite as Next National Team Coach, Has Contacted Agent

According to Brazilian media UOL: The Saudi national team is searching for a new head coach, and former Brazil coach Tite is the frontrunner. Currently, Saudi officials have begun talks with Tite’s agent.

Multiple sources in the Middle East have confirmed that the Saudi Football Federation is about to announce the dismissal of Roberto Mancini. Saudi Arabia is currently looking for a new coach, and Tite is one of the top candidates. Saudi leaders have already made contact with Tite’s agent (Gilmar Veloz) and have requested that the agent travel to Europe quickly, where Saudi officials will formally offer Tite a contract. Brazilian media points out that Saudi leaders hope to reach an agreement quickly to prepare for the crucial qualifiers against Australia and Indonesia in mid-November.

In October, Tite led Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, where they were eliminated by Penarol, leading to his dismissal. Currently, the 63-year-old coach is unemployed. With over 30 years of coaching experience, Tite has coached several prominent Brazilian clubs, including Grêmio, Corinthians, Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras, and Flamengo. Additionally, from 2016 to 2022, he was the head coach of the Brazilian national team, leading them in the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Throughout his career, he has won numerous titles, including the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, FIFA Club World Cup, and Copa America, as well as multiple Brazilian league championships.

According to Brazilian media, one of the key reasons Saudi Arabia is interested in Tite is his experience coaching in the Middle East. From July to December 2007, Tite coached Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. He also briefly coached Al Jazira in the UAE from September to October 2010. Although these stints were not long, Tite has a better understanding of Middle Eastern football compared to many other European and American coaches.

Saudi Arabia is currently in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with 4 matches played, 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss, placing them third in the group. The team hopes to achieve its goal of finishing in the top two of the group to secure a direct ticket to the World Cup by changing coaches.