Al-Ittihad sack head coach Nuno Espirito Santo

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 07 November 2023

Al-Ittihad announce that they have parted company with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, despite the title-winning success during 2022-23.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been removed from his position as head coach of Al-Ittihad.

In his first season in charge of the club, Nuno guided Al-Ittihad to the Saudi Pro League title, ending a 14-year wait for another top-flight crown.

The achievement was significant with Al-Ittihad beating a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr by five points, as well as securing qualification for the Asian Champions League.

However, despite signing the likes of Fabinho, N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema during the summer transfer window, the Tigers have failed to replicate their form from the previous season.

Al-Ittihad are already 11 points adrift of leaders Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, accumulating 21 points from 12 matches to sit in sixth position in the table.

Al Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo on January 26, 2023 © Reuters

Although they sit top of their Champions League group after four matches, Al-Ittihad suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al Quwa Al Jawiya on Monday night.

As well as making it successive losses in all competitions, just three wins have been recorded in nine games, resulting in club officials making the decision to sack the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur man.

A club statement read: "The club has announced the end of its contract with Portuguese coach Nuno Santo.

"The decision comes after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the past phase during which he was in charge of coaching the first football team."

Despite being sacked, Nuno leaves Al-Ittihad with his reputation having been enhanced courtesy of 36 wins and just eight defeats coming from his 56 matches in charge.

Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa has been placed in caretaker charge while a process is undertaken to find a permanent replacement.