Former Barcelona and Ukraine manager Lluis Cortes has been named as Saudi Arabia women’s national team head coach.
Cortes, 37, signed a four-year contract until 2027 and replaces former Finland international Rosa Lappi-Seppala, who left in October by mutual consent.
The Spaniard has been out of work after he decided against renewing his contract with the Ukraine women’s national team when his two-year contract expired in August.
In 2021 he led Barcelona to the treble, winning the Primera Division, Copa de la Reina, and their first UEFA Women’s Champions League title. That summer, however, he decided to step down after two and a half years in charge.
“I don’t feel I have the energy to keep leading this team,” he said in a club statement upon his departure.
“Lluis was the outstanding candidate to lead our women’s national team in this exciting new era and we are thrilled to have finalized this important appointment,” said Yasser Al Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF).
Cortes will now manage Saudi Arabia, who are yet to be classified in the FIFA rankings.
“Being confirmed as Saudi Arabia’s new women’s national team head coach is a real privilege,” said Cortes. “I want to thank the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for this…
