Al-Ittihad have parted ways with head coach Sergio Conceiçao, the Saudi Pro League club confirmed in a statement on Monday. The Portuguese manager's tenure lasted less than a year after he was appointed in October to replace Laurent Blanc, but a disappointing campaign saw the Jeddah-based side slump to fifth place in the domestic standings.
Conceiçao inherited an Al-Ittihad team sitting third in the table, having collected nine points from a possible twelve. However, the season quickly unravelled as the defending champions failed to mount a credible title defence. They finished a staggering 30 points behind eventual champions Al-Nassr, a gap that underscored the team's sharp decline from the previous season when they lifted the trophy.
The club's fortunes were further dented by significant player departures during the winter transfer window. Midfield linchpin N'Golo Kanté, a World Cup winner with France, made a high-profile switch to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, while star forward Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or holder, sealed a move to rivals Al-Hilal. Losing two world-class talents mid-season left Conceiçao's squad severely weakened, both in terms of quality and leadership on the pitch.
The impact of those exits was evident as Al-Ittihad struggled for consistency. Without Kanté's box-to-box energy and Benzema's clinical finishing, the team's attacking output dropped noticeably. The defensive solidity also suffered, as the remaining players failed to compensate for the departed stars' influence. The result was a series of underwhelming performances that saw them slip further away from the top spots.
In continental competition, Al-Ittihad's journey was cut short in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. They were eliminated by Japanese side Machida, who would go on to reach the final. The 1-0 defeat at home highlighted the team's inability to break down organized opposition—a problem that persisted throughout Conceiçao's reign. The early exit from Asia's premier club tournament only amplified the sense of a season gone wrong.
For Al-Ittihad, the sacking marks an urgent need to reset. The club, backed by wealthy owners, will now begin the search for a new manager capable of restoring them to the summit of Saudi football. With the Saudi Pro League attracting global attention and star players, the pressure is immense to deliver immediate results. The fifth-place finish represents a significant underachievement for a club of Al-Ittihad's stature and ambitions.
Sergio Conceiçao, 51, leaves with his reputation dented after a short and turbulent stint. Previously known for his successful spell at Porto, where he won multiple league titles and domestic cups, the Saudi chapter proved to be a challenging misstep. He will likely seek new opportunities, but this experience may serve as a cautionary tale of the unforgiving nature of football management in an increasingly competitive and high-stakes environment.
The departures of Kanté and Benzema also raise questions about Al-Ittihad's recruitment and retention strategy. Allowing two marquee players to leave in the middle of a title defense appears short-sighted, and the new coach will need assurances that the squad can be strengthened rather than stripped of its key assets. The Saudi club must learn from this season's mistakes to avoid a repeat in the future.
Looking at the broader picture, the 2024-25 campaign was a wake-up call for Al-Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League is no longer a one-horse race; with Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and other clubs investing heavily, consistency and depth are paramount. Conceiçao's dismissal underlines the league's growing demands—managers are judged relentlessly on results, and even a recent championship triumph offers no immunity.
As the dust settles, attention turns to who will take over at King Abdullah Sports City. The new appointment will inherit a squad in need of revitalization and perhaps a cultural shift after a deflating year. Fans will hope the next chapter brings a return to winning ways, but the challenges ahead are substantial. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.