RIYADH — Following the departure of Rosa Lappi-Seppälä, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) is embarking on a new chapter in the leadership of the women's national team. Lappi-Seppälä, the former Finland international, played a crucial role in advancing the squad during her tenure, overseeing significant achievements and contributing to the growth of women's football in Saudi Arabia. As SAFF bids farewell to Lappi-Seppälä, attention now shifts to the search for a new head coach who will continue to build on the progress made, guiding the team into the next phase of development. Lappi-Seppälä, who took over from Women's Football Technical Director Monika Stabb, has overseen notable achievements, including two draws against Palestine, a team ranked 38 places higher in the FIFA world ranking. Under her guidance, the team participated in consecutive fixtures against Andorra and excelled in the second edition of the Women's International Friendly Tournament hosted in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The team's impressive run to the semifinal, featuring strong performances against Pakistan and Malaysia, has laid a foundation for further development through 2024 and beyond. The accomplishments have not only attracted new audiences to women's football but have also served as inspiration to numerous girls and young women across the Kingdom. Lamia Bahaian, vice president of SAFF, expressed gratitude to Rosa for her commitment, efforts, and contributions, acknowledging her positive impact on the players. Aalia Abdulaziz AlRasheed, head of the Women's Football Department at SAFF, highlighted Rosa's role in the team's recent development and her inspirational leadership. As Rosa Lappi-Seppälä departs, SAFF is set to confirm a new head coach in due course, with an ongoing recruitment process. The national team squad is scheduled to regroup in January 2024 for a training camp after competing in the SAFF Women's Premier League across the Kingdom.
