KSAsportz report
JEDDAH — The Saudi Pro League champions, Al Ittihad, have made a significant change in their coaching staff, appointing Portuguese manager Sérgio Conceição as their new head coach. This decision comes on the heels of the dismissal of Frenchman Laurent Blanc, who was let go last month after a troubling series of results.
In a dramatic announcement video featuring a chessboard, Conceição proclaimed, “Victory is not a choice; it’s an identity that defines us. Rivals may change, allies may fall, but the king remains. I am Sérgio Conceição, and I’ve come to make history with Al Ittihad.”
Blanc’s exit followed disappointing performances, including back-to-back defeats — a narrow 2-1 loss to the UAE’s Al Wahda in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite and a 2-0 home defeat to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Despite leading Al Ittihad to a domestic double last season, securing both the league and King’s Cup, the team has struggled this season, currently sitting third in the Saudi Pro League table with nine points from four matches. They trail leaders Al Nassr by three points, highlighting the need for a turnaround.
Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa had taken interim charge while the club sought a new head coach. Club sporting director Ramón Planes characterized Blanc’s dismissal as “a painful but professional decision.”
Planes stated on the club’s official YouTube channel: “We respected the club’s procedures. I conducted a technical review and submitted reports to CEO Domingo Suárez. After internal discussions, we agreed that a change was necessary to bring new energy to the team.”
Looking forward, Planes expressed confidence that Conceição can elevate the team’s physical intensity and overall tempo, particularly in high-pressure matches. With Conceição at the helm, the club aims to regain its competitive edge in both domestic and Asian competitions.
At 50 years old, Conceição was most recently at the helm of AC Milan, where he won the 2025 Italian Super Cup — the club’s first trophy since their 2022 Serie A title. His tenure ended in May after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Previously, he had notable success with Porto, guiding the club to five league titles between 2017 and 2024, building a reputation for his intense coaching style and strong leadership in the dressing room.
Al Ittihad’s appointment of Sérgio Conceição marks a pivotal moment as they seek to defend their domestic crown and make a more substantial impact in Asia.