Nuno Espirito Santo has been announced as the new head coach of Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. The Portuguese manager has signed a two-year contract with the club until 2024. He will be replacing Cosmin Contra, who has been dismissed after failing to deliver the league title.
Al Ittihad led for the majority of the season, but the Saudi Pro League Championship was ultimately won by Al-Hilal. And with a manager that has proven himself at a high level like Santo, they can be assured of a positive season in 22/23.
Nuno Espirito Santo joins Al Ittihad
The 48-year-old has coached top teams like Porto in his home country, Valencia in Spain and Wolves in the Premier League. With the Midlands club, he was able to deliver an impressive seventh placed finish for two seasons in a row. He became the longest serving manager of the club in the end, and the positive results earned him a deal with Tottenham.
However, things didn’t work out for the manager as he recorded seven losses and nine wins in four months. And now, after eight months away from football, he is back in management with the Middle Eastern side.
Al Ittihad have been deprived of the league title since 2009, and will be hoping for a change in fate with the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo, who brings with him a wealth of experience from several top leagues.