Marcelo Gallardo takes over at Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema has a new coach after Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad announced this Saturday that Argentine Marcelo Gallardo is officially the new coach of the Tigers, replacing the Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo who was sacked on 8 November.

Gallardo had been away from the game for a year, since he decided to leave River Plate, and in this time he has been linked with different European teams, such as PSG, Monaco, Sevilla or Napoli.

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“It’s a challenge”, declared ‘Muñeco’ Gallardo in Buenos Aires before traveling to Jeddah. I was looking forward to working again, I’m excited because it’s something different. I chose Al Ittihad as part of a decision that I made based on positive feelings”. “It was a nice year enjoying other things in life outside of football. I had a great time. I accepted this proposal because the club presented an exciting project. This will be a new experience and will open my mind and I see it as a great motivation” Gallardo continued.

The Argentine takes charge of a squad in which, in addition to the Frenchman Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Jota, Romarinho, Luiz Felipe and Hamdallah stand out. “Benzemá and Kanté are two players who have a lot of experience, we have to meet to chat a little. I am excited, in a short time we have a great challenge that will be the Club World Cup” declared the new Ittihad manager.

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Al Ittihad are currently fifth in the Saudi League, 11 points behind the leader Al Hilal, and on 12 December they face Auckland City of New Zealand in the first round of the 2023 Club World Cup. If they advance, the Saudi club will face Cairo giants Al Ahly.

According to the Argentine press, Gallardo will be accompanied on his Saudi adventure by the same backroom staff from his time with River Plate and is made up assistants Matías Biscay and Hernán Buján, the physical trainers Pablo Dolce and Marcelo Tulbovitz and goalkeeping coach César Zinelli.