Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad dismissed manager Laurent Blanc on Sunday following a 2-0 loss to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
The Jeddah-based side announced that Blanc’s assistant, Hassan Khalifa, will take charge as caretaker coach while the club searches for a permanent replacement. Al Ittihad currently sit third in the league, three points behind Al Nassr, after four matches.
Blanc, 59, took over in 2024 after a brief spell at French side Lyon. The former France international enjoyed a decorated playing career at clubs such as Marseille, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, and was part of the French squad that lifted the 1998 World Cup. He infamously missed the final after being sent off in the semi-final against Croatia.
As a coach, Blanc led France’s national team to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals before being succeeded by Didier Deschamps. At club level, he enjoyed domestic success with Paris Saint-Germain, winning three consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 2014 and 2016, but his failure to deliver Champions League glory saw him depart.
What you should know
Laurent Blanc’s sacking underscores the high expectations and quick turnover of managers in the Saudi Pro League, where heavy investment and star players like Cristiano Ronaldo have raised the stakes.
Al Ittihad’s next managerial appointment will be crucial as they look to keep pace in a rapidly intensifying title race.
