Al-Ittihad Eye Top Coaches After Sacking Nuno Espirito Santo

Saudi Pro League club, Al-Ittihad, have started their search for a new manager after unexpectedly sacking Nuno Espirito Santo.

Recall that Nuno Espirito Santo helped Al-Ittihad wrestle the Saudi Pro League title away from the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr last season.

Unfortunately, this season has been a contradiction for the Portuguese tactician who worked at Tottenham Hotspur for about four months before he was sacked for a poor run of games.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who waited about eight months to get a job after Spurs fired him in November 2021, led Al-Ittihad to six league wins out of twelve games this season. They were beaten 2-0 on Monday in the Asian Champions League by the Air Force Club of Iraq.

Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa will serve as the club’s acting coach while the club continues to hunt for a permanent replacement.

Top European coaches Al-Ittihad are currently eyeing:

Former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has reportedly been approached for the vacant position, but the Spaniard is eager to wait for a chance to coach a Premier League club, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Balague said the 57-year-old Spanish tactician would need to receive a tempting offer from Al-Ittihad to leave England.

Also, there are reports that the Saudi Pro  League champions are considering former France and Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc as Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is reportedly being considered for the vacant managerial role.