Saudi Pro League: Al-Ittihad sacks Nuno Espirito Santo

Saudi Pro League champions, Al-Ittihad, have made the tough decision to part ways with former Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo due to a string of disappointing results that have left the club and its fans in disarray. Despite a promising start, the team's performance took a nosedive, leading to the managerial change.

During the current season, Al-Ittihad managed to secure only six victories out of their twelve league games, marking a subpar performance for a team of their caliber. Their troubles were further compounded by a demoralizing 2-0 loss to Air Force Club of Iraq in the Asian Champions League, a defeat that served as the final straw for Nuno's tenure.

Nuno, 49, had taken the reins at Al-Ittihad in July 2022, following his departure from Tottenham just eight months prior. His tenure with the club was marked by both highs and lows, but ultimately, the inconsistent results proved too much to bear.

In the wake of Nuno's departure, the club has entrusted assistant coach Hassan Khalifa to take over as the interim manager. However, Al-Ittihad is actively seeking a long-term solution, and their eyes are set on former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui. The Spanish manager has received an offer to take the helm, but Lopetegui seems to have his sights set on a potential opportunity in the highly competitive Premier League.

Julen Lopetegui's previous role was at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he guided the team to a 13th-place finish last season before being replaced by former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil in August. According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, it would require a substantial offer from Al-Ittihad to persuade the 57-year-old Spaniard to leave his ambitions in England.

Al-Ittihad's search for a new manager doesn't stop at Lopetegui, as they are also reportedly considering the likes of ex-France and Paris St-Germain boss Laurent Blanc and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, two high-profile candidates who could bring a wealth of experience to the Saudi club.

Nuno Espirito Santo's journey at Al-Ittihad had its moments of success, notably securing the Saudi Pro League title the previous season. However, reports suggested that his relationship with star recruit Karim Benzema, who joined the club in June, was far from ideal. The arrival of several high-profile stars in the league added pressure and scrutiny to the team's performances.

In an official statement, Al-Ittihad announced their decision, stating, "The club has announced the end of its contract with Portuguese coach Nuno Santo. This decision comes after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the past phase during which he was in charge of coaching the first football team."

Al-Ittihad currently occupies the sixth position in the Saudi Pro League standings and is gearing up for their upcoming match against Abha, as they strive to regain their footing in the league. Notably, the squad features former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and ex-Chelsea and Leicester player N'Golo Kante, adding to the team's considerable talent pool.