Field sources have revealed a deepening crisis within Al-Ittihad Club, with a major dispute erupting between the new Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceição, and the club's management. The crisis centers on transfer policy, specifically the departure of key players without securing equally capable replacements, which threatens the team's ambitions for the new season.
This tension comes at a sensitive time for the Jeddah club, which has entered a new era after a disappointing season following its crowning as champion of the Saudi Professional League for the 2022-2023 season. After attracting world-class stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho, expectations were high, but the team failed to maintain its level, which led to radical administrative and technical changes, the most prominent of which was the signing of Conceição, known for his strong personality and high technical demands, to get the team back on track.
The crisis deepened after the departure of two key players: French striker Karim Benzema moved to arch-rivals Al-Hilal, while French midfielder N'Golo Kanté left for Turkish club Fenerbahçe. This significant void cast a shadow over the team's preparations, and its impact was clearly evident in the recent derby match against Al-Nassr, which Al-Ittihad lost 2-0, highlighting the magnitude of the challenges facing the team.
According to sources, Conceição's discontent reached its peak due to the board's failure to finalize the signing of his compatriot, midfielder Gustavo Sá, whom the coach had identified as the ideal replacement for Kanté in the center of the pitch. This failure to fulfill a direct tactical request from the coach is considered the primary source of the current rift between the two parties.
In an urgent attempt to address their attacking deficiencies, Al-Ittihad announced the signing of Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri for a season and a half. Although En-Nesyri made his debut against Al-Nassr, he failed to make a scoring impact. These statistics are increasing the pressure on the team, as En-Nesyri is currently experiencing a goal drought, having not scored in his last 14 appearances for his former club or country. This has raised concerns among fans about his ability to provide quick attacking solutions.
This crisis not only affects the team's stability domestically, but its repercussions extend to the overall image of the Saudi league, which strives to establish itself as a destination for the world's top stars. The existence of administrative and technical disputes within a club the size of Al-Ittihad raises questions about the project's sustainability and the ability of clubs to manage star-studded squads. Al-Ittihad's management is currently seeking swift solutions to restore balance and get back on track before the upcoming competitions, aiming to meet the aspirations of its fans and prevent the crisis with its new coach from escalating.
