Al Ittihad has sacked manager Laurent Blanc, the Saudi Pro League club said on Saturday, following its 2-0 defeat against Al Nassr a day earlier.

“Al-Ittihad announces the termination of its contractual relationship with the first team’s head coach, Mr Laurent Blanc and his coaching staff,” the club said on X.

Al-Ittihad added that it was also looking for “new technical staff that matches the club’s ambitions”.

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Blanc took charge of Al-Ittihad in July last year and led the team to a domestic double, winning both the league title and the King’s Cup.

However, the team began the new season by exiting the Saudi Super Cup in the semifinals following a loss to Al-Nassr, before suffering a second defeat to the Riyadh-based side in the league on Friday.

It is third in the standings, three points behind Al-Nassr.

Published on Sep 28, 2025