Saudi Coach Fired After Asian Cup Exit: Team Official

CHENGDU, China, July 26 (AFP) - Saudi Arabia coach Gerard van der Lem has been sacked following his team's Asian Cup exit at the hands of Iraq, team officials said Monday.
Saudi Arabia Football Federation vice-president Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal said the Dutchman had been fired immediately after the Saudis had tumbled to a 2-1 defeat against the Iraqis, a result which left them bottom of Group A.
It was the first time in history that three-time champions Saudi Arabia have failed to make it past the group stage of Asia's most prestigious competition.
"After the bad performance of the team we took the decision to sack the coach and the entire technical staff," Bin Faisal told reporters.
"We have fired van der Lem. We have him two years as coach but his results have not been good enough."
Van der Lem's dismissal makes him the 13th coach to be hired and fired by Saudi Arabia since 1994.
His sacking - the second of the tournament following Qatar's dismissal last week of Frenchman Philippe Troussier - was inevitable after defeat to Iraq.
But van der Lem said he had not yet received his marching orders, clashing angrily with Saudi journalists in the post-match press conference.
"You know it (the firing), but I don't know it," Van der Lem snapped. "I will wait until they tell me," he added.
Even though van der Lem's preparations had been disrupted by injuries to no fewer than seven first-choice players, Saudi officials had hinted his position was in jeopardy after the team lost 1-0 to Uzbekistan last week.
On Monday he had been given the dreaded vote of confidence, following a closed-door meeting with Bin Faisal.
"Right now van Der Lem is still our head coach, I say right now, we still have confidence in him," Bin Faisal said. "He and his assistants have done a lot of work, at least in the group play we will continue to cooperate."
Saudi Arabia have made a habit of firing coaches at major tournaments. Milan Macala was sacked after one game at the 2000 Asian Cup while current Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was axed during the 1998 World Cup.