Laurent Blanc Appointed as New Manager of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad

Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad has officially announced the appointment of French coach Laurent Blanc as their new manager. Blanc, 58, has signed a two-year contract until June 2026, with an option to extend for an additional year until 2027. This appointment comes after the departure of Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, who left due to poor results after just one season.Blanc’s arrival was reportedly influenced by star player Karim Benzema, who preferred working with his compatriot. The club had been in advanced negotiations with former Milan coach Stefano Pioli, but Benzema was not satisfied with this choice, leading to the cancellation of that deal.Blanc brings extensive coaching experience to Al-Ittihad, having previously managed the French national team (2010-2012), Paris Saint-Germain, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Al-Rayyan in Qatar. His track record includes four French league titles – three with PSG and one with Bordeaux.Al-Ittihad, which finished fifth in the Saudi league last season with 52 points (far behind champions Al-Hilal’s 96 points), is looking to improve its performance under Blanc’s leadership. The club boasts a star-studded lineup including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho.As part of their preparations for the upcoming season, Al-Ittihad will face Spanish club Elche in a friendly match on July 20. The team will also hold training camps in Spain (July 12-20) and Portugal (July 27-August 3).Financial details of Blanc’s contract have emerged, with reports suggesting he will receive a salary of 10 million euros per year, with an additional 8 million euros bonus if he wins the Saudi Pro League championship.

Key points

  • Laurent Blanc has been appointed as the new manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
  • Blanc signed a two-year contract until June 2026, with an option to extend for another year.
  • Karim Benzema reportedly influenced the decision to hire Blanc.
  • Al-Ittihad aims to improve its fifth-place finish from last season under Blanc’s leadership.
  • Contradictions👾While most sources agree on the two-year contract with an option for a third year, one source specifically mentions Blanc’s salary as 10 million euros per year with an 8 million euro championship bonus, which is not corroborated by other sources.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *