Giorgos Donis has no plans to leave his position as Saudi Arabia manager, according to his agent Shukri Shukrani, despite reports linking former Portugal boss Roberto Martinez with the role before the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Speaking to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, Shukrani said Donis and his coaching staff remained committed to their work with the national team.
“The coach and his staff are happy and ambitious, and are fully focused on their work with the Saudi national team,” he said.
“There is a wonderful atmosphere within the group, with enthusiasm and commitment to achieving the desired objectives. That is the main focus of the coach and his staff.”
Shukrani’s comments followed Donis’ own denial of speculation after Saudi Arabia’s 3-2 friendly victory over South Korea at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Friday.
“You know that I am a straightforward person and that I deliver many messages,” Donis said. “I feel that I am part of Saudi Arabia. I am not just an ordinary coach, even when I was managing clubs here.”
Donis said that, after the Asian Cup was postponed, he had told his staff their contract would expire before the tournament’s revised date. He added that the subsequent discussion of high-profile managerial replacements had created “completely unhelpful” rumours.
“Even after I returned from Jeddah, a Greek friend in NEOM told me about reports that I would be dismissed after the Gulf Cup. Yet here I am today, still with the national team,” he said.
“The rumours do not affect me personally, but they harm the dressing room. The people around us understand the scale of our work, and what is being reported is not fair to us.”
Donis also said Saudi football had a promising generation that required a clear long-term strategy.
“Even if I am not the head coach of this national team, I will always remain the first supporter of the Green Falcons,” he said.
He added that the technical programme he had submitted covered the period until the international break in March, when Saudi Arabia are due to play friendlies, before preparations begin for their participation in CONCACAF.
The Greek coach had already dismissed speculation about his future in an interview with Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah on Wednesday.
“I am not concerned by the rumours that appear from time to time about my professional future with the Saudi national team,” he said. “What matters to me now is developing the Green Falcons and focusing on the work. I have enough experience to deal with what is being said about my future, and I will give my best to serve Saudi football.”
Donis took charge in April, replacing Frenchman Herve Renard two months before the 2026 World Cup. Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the group stage after draws against Uruguay and Cape Verde, a 4-0 defeat by Spain and a total of two points from Group H.
Despite that campaign, Donis led Saudi Arabia to their first Gulf Cup title in 23 years when they won the 27th edition, Gulf 27, in October.
They won four of their five matches and progressed through the other on penalties, scoring eight goals without conceding. Across 12 competitive and friendly games under Donis, Saudi Arabia have recorded six wins, four draws and two defeats, scoring 16 goals and conceding nine.
