July 13, (THEWILL) – Laurent Blanc has taken charge as the new head coach of Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad. The 58-year-old Frenchman replaced Marcelo Gallardo, whose contract was terminated earlier this month.
Al Ittihad announced Blanc’s appointment on social media, welcoming him to the club. While specific details were not disclosed, local reports suggest Blanc has signed a two-season contract with an option for a third year.
Blanc visited Al Ittihad’s pre-season training camp in Spain to meet his new squad. The former Lyon manager faces the challenge of reviving the team’s fortunes after a disappointing 2023/2024 season, where they finished fifth in the league, 42 points behind champions Al Hilal.
The Jeddah-based club boasts high-profile players such as Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante. Blanc’s appointment comes as Al Ittihad aim to reclaim their league title and improve their performance in the upcoming season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
