- Juan Antonio Pizzi steps down as Saudi Arabia head coach
- Green Falcons knocked out of AFC Asian Cup Round of 16
- Pizzi led Saudi Arabia at 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Juan Antonio Pizzi has announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia following the country’s exit from the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Pizzi, who led the Green Falcons at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, expressed his decision to step down after Saudi Arabia suffered a Round-of-16 defeat against Japan on Monday.
"I’m happy and grateful for my players, they did what I asked them to do. Of course, we did some mistakes but we will learn from them,” he said after the game.
"My job with the national team is done, nobody talked with me about renewing my contract. I still don’t know anything about my next challenge."
Born in Argentina, Pizzi represented Spain at international level and was part of La Roja’s France 1998 squad.
After winning the Copa America Centenario with Chile in 2016, Pizzi took charge of Saudi Arabia in 2017 and led his side to a victory over Mohamed Salah’s Egypt at Russia 2018.
The Green Falcons finished second in Group E at the Asian Cup before bowing out to Japan in the knockout stage; Takehiro Tomiyasu netting the only goal of their encounter.
"We must not forget that we played against one of the best teams in Asia, with most of their players participating in the European leagues," Pizzi said.
"We chose the best players who deserved to represent the team. I am satisfied with how they performed during the tournament and what they earnestly sought to apply in the games in terms of technical plans and strategies."
AFC Asian Cup Matchday 15
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![Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan scores his team's first goal]()
Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan scores his team's first goal
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan scores his team's first goal during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
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![Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates scoring the opening goal]()
Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates scoring the opening goal
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal]()
Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Maya Yoshida of Japan in action]()
Maya Yoshida of Japan in action
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Maya Yoshida of Japan in action during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Genki Haraguchi of Japan and Tsukasa Shiotani of Japan celebrate]()
Genki Haraguchi of Japan and Tsukasa Shiotani of Japan celebrate
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Genki Haraguchi of Japan and Tsukasa Shiotani of Japan celebrate following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Hussain Almoqahwi of Saudi Arabia looks dejected following his sides defeat]()
Hussain Almoqahwi of Saudi Arabia looks dejected following his sides defeat
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Hussain Almoqahwi of Saudi Arabia looks dejected following his sides defeat in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Yoshinori Muto of Japan celebrates following his side's victory]()
Yoshinori Muto of Japan celebrates following his side's victory
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Yoshinori Muto of Japan celebrates following his sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Players of Japan celebrate following their side's victory]()
Players of Japan celebrate following their side's victory
21 Jan 2019
SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Players of Japan celebrate following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Jaloliddin Masharipov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Awer Mabil]()
Jaloliddin Masharipov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Awer Mabil
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Jaloliddin Masharipov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Awer Mabil of Australia during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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![Tom Rogic of Australia is challenged by Otabek Shukurov of Uzbekistan]()
Tom Rogic of Australia is challenged by Otabek Shukurov of Uzbekistan
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Tom Rogic of Australia shoots while challenged by Otabek Shukurov of Uzbekistan during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Davron Khashimov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Chris Ikonomidis of Australia]()
Davron Khashimov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Chris Ikonomidis of Australia
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Davron Khashimov of Uzbekistan battles for possession with Chris Ikonomidis of Australia during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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![Mathew Leckie of Australia battles for possession with Ikromjon Alibaev of Uzbekistan]()
Mathew Leckie of Australia battles for possession with Ikromjon Alibaev of Uzbekistan
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Mathew Leckie of Australia battles for possession with Ikromjon Alibaev of Uzbekistan during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Players of Australia celebrate winning the penalty shootout]()
Players of Australia celebrate winning the penalty shootout
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Players of Australia celebrates as Mathew Leckie of Australia (not pictured) scores their sides winning penalty in the penalty shoot out during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates after saving the fourth penalty from Marat Bikmaev of Uzbekistan]()
Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates after saving the fourth penalty from Marat Bikmaev of Uzbekistan
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates after saving the fourth penalty from Marat Bikmaev of Uzbekistan (not pictured) in the penalty shoot out during the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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![Mat Ryan of Australia (hidden) celebrates with his teammates]()
Mat Ryan of Australia (hidden) celebrates with his teammates
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Mat Ryan of Australia (hidden) celebrates with his teammates following their sides win after a penalty shoot-out in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates with fans following his side's win after a penalty shoot-out]()
Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates with fans following his side's win after a penalty shoot-out
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Mat Ryan of Australia celebrates with fans following his side's win after a penalty shoot-out in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Mark Milligan of Australia celebrates following his side's victory]()
Mark Milligan of Australia celebrates following his side's victory
21 Jan 2019
AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Mark Milligan of Australia celebrates following his sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup round of 16 match between Australia and Uzbekistan at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on January 21, 2019 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![United Arab Emirates' midfielder Khamis Ismail (R) is congratulated for his goal]()
United Arab Emirates' midfielder Khamis Ismail (R) is congratulated for his goal
21 Jan 2019
United Arab Emirates' midfielder Khamis Ismail (R) is congratulated for his goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyzstan at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![Kyrgyz Republic's forward Mirlan Murzaev (L) shoots at goal]()
Kyrgyz Republic's forward Mirlan Murzaev (L) shoots at goal
21 Jan 2019
Kyrgyz Republic's forward Mirlan Murzaev (L) shoots at goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyz Republic at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![United Arab Emirates' forward Ali Mabkhout (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring]()
United Arab Emirates' forward Ali Mabkhout (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring
21 Jan 2019
United Arab Emirates' forward Ali Mabkhout (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyz Republic at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate their equalising goal]()
Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate their equalising goal
21 Jan 2019
Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate their equalising goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyz Republic at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (R, #11) scores a penalty against Kyrgyz Republic goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov (L)]()
United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (R, #11) scores a penalty against Kyrgyz Republic goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov (L)
21 Jan 2019
United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (R, #11) shoots a penalty against Kirghyzstan's goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov (L) during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyzstan at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (C-R) is congratulated by Ali Mabkhout (C-L)]()
United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (C-R) is congratulated by Ali Mabkhout (C-L)
21 Jan 2019
United Arab Emirates' forward Ahmed Khalil (C-R) is congratulated United Arab Emirates' forward Ali Mabkhout (C-L) during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyzstan at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
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![Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate with fans]()
Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate with fans
21 Jan 2019
Kyrgyz Republic players celebrate with fans following their defeat during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 football match between UAE and Kyrgyz Republic at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP
© AFP
