'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Al-Ittihad president Loay Nazer has revealed that former manager Marcelo Gallardo was relieved of his duties because of his feelings about Karim Benzema. The former Real Madrid man joined the club as its marquee signing for the 2023-24 season after over a decade in Spain.
Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League in 2023 and strengthened their squad by signing World Cup winner N'Golo Kante and Benzema in the following summer. The Tigers struggled in 2023-24 despite their big signings, finishing fifth, 42 points behind eventual winners Al-Hilal.
The Saudi giants faced many struggles off the pitch in the 2023-24 season, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo having been sacked midway through the season. Highly-rated Argentine manager Marcelo Gallardo replaced him, and he, like his predecessor, has now also been fired.
Trending
The president of the club revealed, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, that the manager requested that the club gets rid of Karim Benzema this summer. The president hammered on the importance of the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner to the football project in Saudi Arabia. He then revealed that he chose to part ways with Gallardo, as a result.
“Gallardo made significant mistakes by requesting the removal of Benzema, which is unacceptable. He is an essential part of Saudi Arabia's and the club's project.”
“We have 2/3 options for new manager”.
Benzema managed nine goals and seven assists in 21 league appearances for the Tigers, but he managed only two goals in the second half of the campaign. He was rumored to be unhappy in Saudi in January but remained in the league.
Marcelo Gallardo will reportedly receive a massive €30 million severance pay from the club after the termination of his contract. The Saudi giants are already in the hunt for a new manager to lead them into the 2024-25 season.
Al-Ittihad keen on Premier League star for attacking depth - Reports
Al-Ittihad are reportedly looking to sign West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus after his impressive debut season for the Hammers. They are looking to return to the summit of Saudi football after a meek title defense in the 2023-24 season.
ESPN reports the interest of Al-Ittihad in Kudus, who scored 14 goals in his first season in English football in 45 games across competitions. The 23-year-old Ghanaian international has caught the fancy of multiple clubs in Europe and beyond, and the interest of the Saudi giants is further proof.
West Ham will face an uphill task to keep hold of the former Ajax man after such a brilliant season in their colors. Al-Ittihad have shown that they have the financial muscle to target stars from the Premier League, and will continue to do so this summer.
