Saudi: Al Ittihad Parts Ways With Portuguese Coach Nuno Espirito Santo Amid Poor Performance
Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad fired their Portuguese coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, on Tuesday after a run of poor results.
Al Ittihad are without a win in their last five Saudi Pro League matches, drawing three times and losing twice as they dropped to sixth place in the standings.
They also slumped to a 2-0 loss at Air Force Club in the Asian Champions League on Monday, though they still lead Group C with nine points from four games against seven for the Iraqis.
Al Ittihad said in a statement: “We have terminated the contractual relationship with Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the period for which he assumed responsibility.
“Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa will assume team training till we appoint a new coach and overhaul the technical staff to meet the aspirations and ambitions of the club and its fans.”
The 49-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Porto coach Espirito Santo took charge of Al Ittihad in July 2022 with a contract until 2024, succeeding Cosmin Contra, and led the team to the title last season.
