EXPECT Saudi Arabia to fight dirty this winter with Game of Thrones villain Jaime Lannister at the helm.
At least, that’s what fans believe after seeing coach Herve Renard in the dugout for Saudi’s historic 2-1 World Cup win over Argentina and the loss to Poland.
Saudi boss Herve Renard was mistaken for Ser Jaime LannisterAP:Associated PressSer Jaime Lannister or Herve Renard? Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays Game of Thrones characterHBO
Viewers of both matches had to double take as cameras panned to Renard, 54, watching on in Doha.
With his blonde locks and chiselled jawline, the Saudi manager looks a dead ringer for one of the hit HBO series’ most popular characters.
Ser Jaime, played by Dane Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, begins the show as a ruthless knight in love with his sister Cersei, but wins his fair share of fans as the programme develops.
One fan said on Twitter: “Herve Renard brings the Game Of Thrones vibes to the tournament.”
Another tweeted: “My crush on Jaime Lannister unfortunately extends to Herve Renard.”
Saudi will be praying Renard’s men can put their Group C opponents Mexico to the sword in their final game to book their place in the knockouts of the World Cup.
Renard, who is dating the widow of former Senegal boss Bruno Metsu, coached the likes of Cambridge, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Lille, and Morocco before taking up his role as Saudi boss.
It is his second time coaching at a World Cup but the Frenchman is not worried about a lack of experience.
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In fact, he appears to be quite the motivator, giving an incredible half-time team talk at half-time with his side trailing tournament favourites Argentina 1-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty.
Renard’s message paid dividends just three minutes into the second half as Saleh Al-Shehri brilliant slotted into the corner to equalise.
But winger Salem Al-Dawsari made sure his team took home the spoils after his wonderstrike sealed a famous win.
He cut in from the left and fired into the top corner on 53 minutes and Saudi Arabia held on for well over 40 minutes.The Government declared a national holiday such was the magnitude of the upset win.
Rumour had it the squad were given Rolls Royce’s as a reward for the win – but Renard has shut down those claims.
Renard said: “There is nothing true about this. We have a very serious federation and ministry of sport. It’s not time to get something at this moment.
“We only have had one game and there are two very important games left. And we are hoping for some more.
“I don’t know if you remember the press conference before the Argentina game. That is one of three important games we must play.
“The only good thing at the end of this group stage is to finish number one or number two.
“We are still the lowest ranked team of this group in terms of experience.
“At this time nothing changes. Nothing changes about the favourites for this World Cup. We are keeping our humility. If we miss our humility we won’t play well tomorrow.”
Saudi are averaging 47 per cent possession at the tournament
