NEOM S.C. appoints Christophe Galtier as new football head coach

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 5, 2025 – NEOM S.C. has announced the appointment of Christophe Galtier as the club’s new head coach, as preparations ramp up for its debut season in the Roshn Saudi League.

A widely respected figure in European football, the highly experienced French national arrives with a reputation for building resilient, tactically astute teams capable of challenging at the highest level. The 58-year-old has held top managerial roles at Paris Saint-Germain, OGC Nice, Lille OSC and AS Saint-Étienne, guiding his sides to both silverware and sustained domestic relevance.

NEOM S.C. highlights that the strategic hire of Galtier aligns with the club’s progressive and ambitious sporting vision – a commitment to building a modern footballing institution capable of long-term success, both domestically and across the region.

“Christophe Galtier represents the caliber of leadership we seek at NEOM S.C. His record speaks for itself – from elevating clubs to league titles to instilling tactical discipline and belief within his squads. We’re thrilled to have Galtier lead our football team. His appointment signals our intent to play bold, modern football and to build a club that can compete at every level,” said Meshari Al-Mutairi, Chairman of NEOM S.C.

Galtier’s greatest achievement came in 2020/21 when he masterminded Lille’s Ligue 1 title win, disrupting PSG’s long-standing dominance and earning his third Ligue 1 ‘Manager of the Year’ honor. He later led PSG to the 2022/23 Ligue 1 crown and 2022 Trophée des Champions. Another memorable triumph came with Saint-Étienne in 2012/13’s Coupe de la Ligue, marking their first major trophy in more than 30 years.

NEOM S.C. says that Galtier’s appointment forms a cornerstone of the club’s broader sporting ambition and a move to bring in world-class expertise to shape a cohesive, competitive team that reflects the club’s values of excellence, structure and long-term development. It also aligns with the wider vision of establishing NEOM S.C. as a modern football force within Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Galtier will take charge of first-team preparations immediately, with pre-season duties and squad development at the top of his agenda, as NEOM S.C. gears up for its maiden top-flight campaign.