Saudi Arabia fire Frank Rijkaard

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has sacked Frank Rijkaard as coach of the nation's football team.

The decision was taken following Saudi's failure to go beyond the group stages of the recent 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations in Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 to Iraq and 1-0 to Kuwait, while they managed to record a lone 2-0 win over Yemen.

"The decision to fire Rijkaard was taken unanimously during the board meeting," a source told reporters.

Former Barcelona coach Rijkaard had been in charge of the Green Falcons since July 2011.