Al Ittihad have sacked Laurent Blanc after just four matches in charge and launched an ambitious search for his replacement, with Xavi Hernández, Luciano Spalletti, and Sergio Conceição emerging as the top targets.
The Jeddah club pulled the trigger on Sunday, ending Blanc’s brief spell at the helm. Despite winning three of their four league matches this season, the French manager failed to convince the Al Ittihad board he was the right man to lead their title challenge.
The 2-0 defeat to league leaders Al Nassr (2.80) on Friday proved to be the final straw. Al Ittihad (4.33) currently sit third in the Saudi Pro League table, and the hierarchy has decided they need a change to close the gap.
Big Names in the Frame
Sources close to the Saudi club confirm they’ve already made contact with three high-profile managers. Former Barcelona boss Xavi tops their wishlist. The 45-year-old Spaniard has been out of work since leaving the Nou Camp earlier this year, where he won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023.
Xavi knows Middle Eastern soccer well. He spent four years playing for Al Sadd in Qatar from 2015 to 2019, then managed the same club until 2021. That experience could prove vital if Al Ittihad can convince him to return to the region.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that whilst Xavi has been approached, the Spanish tactician would prefer a move to the Premier League. Manchester United could be his dream destination if the opportunity arose.
Italy’s former national team coach Luciano Spalletti represents another ambitious option. The 66-year-old led Italy to the Euro 2024 round of 16 and boasts an impressive CV that includes title wins with Roma and Napoli.
Sergio Conceição rounds out the shortlist. The Portuguese manager has been successful at Porto, winning three league titles and multiple domestic cups during his seven-year tenure at the club.
Quick Decision Expected From Ittihad
Al Ittihad won’t hang about in their search. The Saudi Pro League season is still young, with 30 matches remaining, and the club wants their new manager in place quickly to mount a serious title challenge.
The Tigers have shown they mean business by moving on from Blanc so swiftly. His appointment never quite clicked, with reports suggesting the board had doubts about his tactical approach from the start.
For Blanc, it marks a disappointing return to management after his previous stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Rayyan ended in 2022. The former France international lasted just 11 months in Qatar and has now managed only four competitive matches at Al Ittihad.
The Saudi club’s willingness to target such high-calibre replacements shows its ambition. With significant financial backing and a squad featuring stars like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, Al Ittihad believe they should be competing for the title, not playing catch-up.
Whoever takes the job will inherit a talented squad that’s underperforming. Three wins from four matches might look decent on paper, but Al Ittihad expect more. They want a manager who can deliver both results and attractive soccer to match their lofty ambitions.
The next few days will prove crucial as negotiations intensify. Al Ittihad need to move fast if it wants to secure one of their top targets before other opportunities arise elsewhere.
