Despite some high-profile signings this summer, the Saudis from Al Ittihad failed to achieve the desired result in the Championship, with defeat in the Asian Champions League proving fatal for coach Nunu Espirito Santo.
Nuno Espiritu Santo sacked by Al Ittihad – Karim Benzema ‘lazy’ by the Portuguese
With Benzema, Kante, Fabinho or Luis Felipe in the line-up, Al Ittihad are only sixth in the Saudi league, 11 points behind leaders Al Hilal after 12 matches.
Espiritu Santo and the French forward were involved in a verbal altercation following the Iraqis’ 1-0 loss to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the Asian Champions League on Monday, according to AS.com.
The Portuguese criticized Benzema for being lazy and not putting pressure on the opponent, and the former Ballon d’Or winner replied that the defeat belonged to the whole team.
24 hours after the incident, “Al-Ittihad” officially announced the termination of the contract with Nunu Espiritu Santo.
Having spent time at Valencia, Porto and Tottenham, the Portuguese coach took charge of the Saudi side last summer and managed to win the title at the end of the season.
Source: Hot News
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