Al Ittihad Approaches Top European Managers After Sacking Laurent Blanc

Al Ittihad is now looking for a new manager after letting go of Laurent Blanc. The Saudi club has reportedly talked to experienced coaches like Luciano Spalletti and Sergio Conceição. Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez is also being considered for the job.

SEARCH FOR A NEW COACH

After a poor period under Laurent Blanc, Al Ittihad is quickly searching for a new leader. The club has contacted former Italy national team manager, Luciano Spalletti, who was recently fired after a short time in charge. Spalletti, who won the Serie A with Napoli, is known for his tactical skills. He is not employed right now and is thinking about his next move.

Al Ittihad is also interested in Sergio Conceição, who has been the long-time manager of Porto. He is known for creating aggressive and disciplined teams. Reports say that Xavi, who left his role at Barcelona, is being looked at as another option. These three coaches are the main targets as Al Ittihad tries to quickly stabilize their season.

SEASON SO FAR AND STANDINGS

Al Ittihad’s season has not met expectations. The team, which won the Saudi Pro League in 2022-23, is now sixth in the table after losing several games in recent weeks. Last week’s loss to Al Hilal left them 12 points behind the league leaders and just three points above seventh-placed Al Shabab. This poor form and pressure from fans led to Blanc’s firing before the end of September.

Al Ittihad’s next game is against Al Nassr, who are second in the table and only two points behind Al Hilal. This is a key game in the Saudi Pro League title race. Choosing the right manager soon is crucial for Al Ittihad’s hopes of catching up to the top.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT

Al Ittihad wants to hire a top-level coach with international experience. The decision could happen quickly because they want the new manager to have time to prepare for the important game with Al Nassr. Hiring Spalletti, Conceição, or Xavi would bring significant reputation and could change Al Ittihad’s season. The next few days are vital for the club as they try to get back to the top of Saudi football.