Al-Ittihad's Portuguese manager, Sergio Conceição, celebrated the club's anniversary with a heartfelt and motivating message to its fans via his official social media accounts. This message comes as the team strives to regain its footing in the league, drawing inspiration from its long and storied history of victory and determination.
Message of Identity and Discipline
On Friday evening, Conceição wrote words reflecting his deep appreciation for the value of the club he leads, saying: "On the anniversary of Al-Ittihad's founding, we remember what this club represents: identity, discipline, and ambition." The Portuguese coach added, emphasizing the weight of responsibility on his shoulders: "Leading the oldest and one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia carries a great responsibility, and the best way to honor it is through hard work… To our fans: This is Al-Ittihad.".
The Dean... a long and distinguished history spanning decades
Conceição's words carry weight due to the historical significance of Al-Ittihad Club, affectionately known as "The Dean." Founded in 1927 in Jeddah, it is the oldest sports club in Saudi Arabia. For nearly a century, Al-Ittihad has been a cornerstone of Saudi sports development, boasting a rich history of local and continental championships. This has led its fans to constantly celebrate the "identity of a champion," a point the coach emphasized in his message. Celebrating the club's founding anniversary is not merely a fleeting occasion; it serves as a reminder of its deep roots and immense popularity within the Saudi and Arab sports communities.
The Clasico showdown: a challenge to get back on track
In a related development, and moving from the celebratory atmosphere to the realities of competition, Al-Ittihad hosts Al-Shabab in a highly anticipated match at 8:30 PM this Saturday, as part of the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League. This match is considered a pivotal one for both teams given their current positions in the league standings.
Points struggle and improving positions
Al-Ittihad enters the match in ninth place in the league standings with 14 points, a position that falls short of the ambitions of the club and its large fan base. A victory in this game is therefore crucial for climbing the table and competing for continental qualification spots. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab is also struggling, currently in thirteenth place with 8 points, and is desperately trying to escape the relegation zone. These statistics add a highly charged and competitive edge to the match, as coach Conceição aims to translate his message of "hard work and responsibility" into tangible results by securing all three points tonight.
