Saudis Al Ittihad invested heavily during the summer break to catch up with Al Nassr and Al Hilal, but a poor start to the season led to the sacking of coach Nunu Espirito Santo.

Marcelo Gallardo, appointed head coach of Al Ittihad

With Benzema, Kante, Fabinho or Luis Felipe in the squad, Al Ittihad are only fifth in the Saudi Arabian league, 11 points behind leaders Al Hilal after 13 matches.

Despite winning the title at the end of last season, coach Nuno Espiritu Santo was sacked after falling out with the former Ballon d’Or winner, whom he accused of being too lazy.

The leaders of Al-Ittihad turned to the Argentine Marcelo Gallardo, who was officially named on the technical bench.

A former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain player, Gallardo began his coaching career at Nacional before spending eight years in charge of River Plate.

With Los Millionarios, he won 14 trophies, including the title and the Copa Libertadores twice.