Al-Ittihad announced on Saturday the dismissal of Laurent Blanc, following the team’s 0-2 loss to rivals Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night. The defeat proved to be the final straw for the French coach.
📝 | Termination of contract with first football team’s head coach pic.twitter.com/fkWmZdnNeB
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) September 27, 2025
Three Candidates on the Shortlist
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi club has identified three possible successors:
Xavi Hernández (45) – unemployed since May 2024, after being dismissed from FC Barcelona despite winning La Liga in 2023.
Luciano Spalletti (66) – dismissed as Italy’s national team coach in June after a 3-0 defeat to Norway in World Cup 2026 qualifying.
Sergio Conceição (50) – parted ways with AC Milan in May after just five months in charge.
🚨🟡⚫️ Xavi, Luciano Spalletti and Sergio Conceição have been approached by Al Ittihad after Blanc got sacked.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 28, 2025
Al Ittihad are now assessing managerial candidates. pic.twitter.com/0lsAUu1tCT
Al-Ittihad have already made contact with all three candidates and are expected to reach a decision within the week.
