Cambridge United's former manager Herve Renard oversees Saudi Arabia's famous FIFA World Cup win over Lionel Messi's Argentina

Former Cambridge United manager Herve Renard masterminded one of the biggest shocks in recent FIFA World Cup history earlier today.

The Frenchman, who had a spell in charge of the U’s back in 2004, watched on as his Saudi Arabia side stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina side with a 2-1 victory during the Group C opener in Qatar.

It was seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi who gave the Argentines an early lead from the penalty spot, but quickfire goals at the start of the second half from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari earned the Saudi's a famous win.

Speaking after the final whistle, Renard, whose side are ranked outside of the world's top 50, said: “You need to believe in yourself, anything can happen in football. We made this story for football. It will stay forever.”

While Renard was sacked by United with the club sitting second from bottom in League Two, he nevertheless made an impression within the club.

Former United winger Shane Tudor told Sky Sports: "The best way to describe it is like when Arsene Wenger went to Arsenal. It was a similar impact to that in terms of diet and nutrition. I remember that even his children did not drink coca cola. In terms of his ideas and his coaching methodology, he was exceptional.

"Don't get me wrong, Herve could fall out with you. He was passionate and he would get in your face but there was always a reasoning behind it. That was the difference. He would get the best out of you but it was intense and there was no let up with him. It can be draining after a while but that is probably why he does so well at international level.

"He is probably a football club's dream, to be honest, because he is a workaholic. He would run for hours every day and spend three hours in the gym. It would put the players to shame. In pre-season we were up at 5.30 in the morning and did three sessions a day so he got us fit and organised. He certainly got me properly fit and I learned a lot from him."

Since leaving United Renard has gone on the have a long and successful career, particularly in international football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations with both Zambia and the Ivory Coast.