A new chapter in the history of the dean of Saudi clubs
Al-Ittihad Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the Kingdom and Asia, is charting a new course in its history through well-considered strategic steps that reflect a fundamental shift in its administrative, financial, and technical philosophy. This direction comes within the context of the significant transformation underway in the Saudi sports sector, driven by the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Public Investment Fund's investment and privatization project for sports clubs, which aims to build a sports system based on sustainability, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Financial restructuring to ensure sustainability
At the forefront of these transformations, the club's management embarked on a comprehensive financial restructuring aimed at balancing sporting ambition with financial stability. A key feature of this strategy was reducing operating costs, primarily the high wage bill that had been a financial burden in recent times. This approach was directly reflected in the transfer market, with the club seeing the departure of some key players in favor of a more prudent recruitment policy. The goal is not austerity, but rather building a sustainable financial model that enables the club to compete strongly in the long term without experiencing financial crises, thus making it an attractive investment entity in the future.
Building a balanced artistic identity for the future
On the technical front, the sporting management has adopted a vision aimed at building a more dynamic and competitive team, based on a blend of world-class experience and influential names like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, alongside young talents capable of leading the team for years to come. This policy seeks to gradually lower the average age of the squad while maintaining the core players who ensure technical stability. In a related matter, the return of player Abdulrahman Al-Aboud to training after a period of exclusion reflects a professional approach to managing technical matters, one that prioritizes discipline while preserving the technical value of key players, thus reinforcing the principle that the club's interests take precedence over all other considerations.
“Al-Ittihad Sports Club Village”: Investment in infrastructure
The launch of the “Al-Ittihad Sports Village” project is a cornerstone of the club’s future vision. This ambitious project, undertaken in collaboration with specialized international companies, is more than just a new headquarters or training grounds; it is a comprehensive system designed to provide a world-class sporting environment. The project will include the club’s main headquarters, training facilities for the first team and youth teams, specialized performance development and sports medicine centers, as well as investment and commercial assets that will contribute to diversifying revenue streams. Thanks to its strategic location near King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, the project will enhance the club’s position as a leading sporting destination and will have a positive impact on talent development and attracting investment, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to develop the Kingdom’s sports infrastructure.
Expected impact: From local to global
These integrated transformations—from budget adjustments and fresh talent to investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure—are setting Al-Ittihad on a clear path toward a more stable and powerful future. Domestically, this strategy aims to ensure continued competitiveness for titles. Regionally and internationally, the presence of a club the size of Al-Ittihad, with its financial and administrative stability and world-class infrastructure, enhances the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi Professional League as a whole, and contributes to solidifying its position as one of the major leagues on the global football map.
