Managerial Change at Al-Ittihad
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad announced on September 27, 2025, the termination of head coach Laurent Blanc's contract and that of his coaching staff. The decision follows a 2-0 defeat against rivals Al-Nassr on September 26, 2025, which saw the reigning champions fall further behind in the league standings.
In an official statement, the club indicated its intention to seek 'new technical staff that matches the club's ambitions'.
Blanc's Successful Tenure and Recent Struggles
Laurent Blanc, a former French international and manager of clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, took charge of Al-Ittihad in July 2024. His inaugural season was highly successful, as he guided the Jeddah-based club to a historic domestic double, securing both the Saudi Pro League title and the King's Cup in the 2024-2025 season.
However, the start of the current season proved challenging. The team was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup, also at the hands of Al-Nassr. The recent league loss to Al-Nassr, where goals from Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the 2-0 victory, left Al-Ittihad in third place, three points behind the league leaders.
Immediate Future and Potential Successors
Following Blanc's departure, Hassan Khalifa and Iván Carrasco have been appointed as interim first-team coaches. The club is now actively searching for a permanent replacement to lead the team. Several high-profile names have reportedly been approached, including:
- Xavi Hernandez
- Luciano Spalletti
- Sergio Conceição
The swift change underscores the high expectations and competitive pressure within the Saudi Pro League, as clubs aim to maintain their standing both domestically and internationally.
5 Comments
Katchuka
Unbelievable! He won a double last season, give him time!
BuggaBoom
The pressure in the Saudi Pro League is immense, and while Blanc achieved greatness, the club's desire for sustained dominance means poor starts can't be tolerated. Finding a balance between patience and ambition is hard.
Eugene Alta
Football is a results business, but this is too harsh.
Mariposa
A club of Al-Ittihad's stature expects more. Right call.
Michelangelo
Blanc delivered a fantastic double, but recent performances clearly weren't up to standard. It's a tough decision, but understandable given the club's high ambitions.