In a definitive statement, Spaniard Ramon Planes, the sporting director of Al-Ittihad, put an end to the speculation and rumors linking him to a move to their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal. Planes affirmed his complete commitment to his current project with Al-Ittihad, denying any negotiations to take over the sporting director position at the Riyadh-based club.
Planes' response was clear in media statements he made after a match, where he said: "I love Al-Ittihad and I want to stay here ." With these words, he closed the door on any future controversy surrounding the issue, confirming his loyalty to the Jeddah club and his desire to complete the mission he had begun.
Background to the news and the importance of the sporting director position
These rumors come amidst fierce competition among the top clubs in the Saudi Professional League, a competition that is no longer limited to signing star players but has extended to attracting the best administrative and technical talent in the world. The sporting director position is considered the cornerstone of modern football projects, as the individual is responsible for developing long-term strategies, overseeing recruitment processes, and coordinating between the coaching staff and club management.
Ramon Planes boasts an impressive resume in the world of sports management, having held key positions at major European clubs. His most notable stint was with FC Barcelona, where he is credited with discovering and signing young talents who later became pillars of the team, such as Pedri and Ronald Araujo. He also worked at other clubs, including Getafe and Real Betis in Spain, and Tottenham Hotspur in England, gaining extensive experience and a strong international network.
Expected impact on the Saudi sports scene
Planes' decision to stay with Al-Ittihad represents a significant morale boost for the club and its management, ensuring the continuity of the technical and strategic vision he began implementing upon his arrival. This decision also reflects the strength of the Al-Ittihad project and its ability to retain its talent in the face of competing offers. For Al-Ittihad fans, this news is reassuring and confirms that the club is on the right track towards building a team capable of competing strongly on all fronts.
On the other hand, this rejection means that Al-Hilal's management, headed by Prince Nawaf bin Saad, will continue its search for a world-class sporting director to lead the next phase. Al-Hilal's interest in a name of Planes' stature demonstrates the club's ambition to strengthen its administrative structure with talent that matches the caliber of its on-field stars, indicating that the Saudi Arabian administrative transfer market will remain active and exciting in the coming period.
