Ittihad part ways with Portuguese coach Nuno Santos

Nuno Espírito Santo led Ittihad to a championship title in his time at the club. (AFP)
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Updated 08 November 2023
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Ittihad part ways with Portuguese coach Nuno Santos

RIYADH: Saudi champions Al-Ittihad announced on Tuesday that they have parted ways with Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo.

The club thanked the outgoing manager, who joined the side on July 4, 2022, for his time with the team.

“This decision comes after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the past phase, during which he was in charge of coaching the first team,” the club statement said, announcing the departure of Nuno Santos, who has managed Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Porto.

Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa will assume coaching responsibilities until a new manager is found.

The club also said the coaching staff will be reorganized “to align with the clubs goals and the expectations of its fans”.

Nuno Santo, who managed 56 games, winning 36 of them, helped to bring back the Saudi title to Jeddah after a 14-year drought.

He also lead the team to a Saudi Super Cup earlier in the year.


Benzema’s goal propels Al-Ittihad to victory in Asian Champions League

Updated 24 December 2025
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Benzema’s goal propels Al-Ittihad to victory in Asian Champions League

  • The victory moved Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the 12-team Western group

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Karim Benzema’s second-half strike was enough to give Al-Ittihad a 1-0 win over Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan on Tuesday, placing the Saudi title holders within sight of the Asian Champions League Elite knockout round.
The French striker volleyed home from close range at the far post after 57 minutes, meeting a cross from Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes.
The victory moved Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the 12-team Western group. With the top eight from the East and West advancing to the round of 16, a win against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the next match would clinch advancement for the two-time champion.
Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini delivered Al-Sadd’s first win in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 2-1 to Al-Ahli Dubai after 90 minutes, the Qatar club scored three goals in stoppage time to win 4-2, with Spanish striker Rafa Mujica completing his hat trick, and keep faint hopes of advancing alive.