Al-Ittihad FC have officially announced the dismissal of their manager Sergio Conceicao with immediate effect. The Saudi Pro League giants, however, have not yet named his successor at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium (The Shining Jewel).
The Portuguese tactician took over the Jeddah Tigers last October, replacing Frenchman Laurent Blanc. However, he struggled to meet any of Al-Ittihad’s sporting objectives during his brief tenure.
Al-Ittihad released an official statement on Monday, saying:
“The club extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to coach Sergio Conceicao and his technical staff for their efforts and hard work during their time leading the team, wishing them continued success in their future professional careers.”
Regarding Conceicao’s replacement, the club added: “The technical arrangements for the leadership of the first football team will be announced in the coming period through the club’s official channels.”
From Jurgen Klopp to Sebastian Hoeness: Who Will Replace Conceicao?
While legendary manager Jurgen Klopp was heavily linked with the Al-Ittihad vacancy, his agent swiftly dismissed the rumors as “impossible.” Instead, several prominent European names have emerged as potential candidates, including current Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness.
During his time in Saudi Arabia, the 51-year-old Conceicao managed 41 matches across the Saudi Pro League, AFC Champions League Elite, and the King’s Cup. He recorded 21 wins, 7 draws, and suffered 13 defeats.
Al-Ittihad endured a highly disappointing campaign, finishing 5th in the Roshn Saudi League standings with 55 points. They were also knocked out of the King’s Cup semifinals in a shocking penalty shootout defeat against Al-Kholood.
Furthermore, their continental dreams were crushed in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals, where they failed to reach the semis after a 1-0 home defeat against Machida Zelvia at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
