From Blanc to Conceicao: Ahmed Al-Ghamdi Shines for Al-Ittihad
17 October 2025
A Fresh Chance
Some players simply need a coach's belief to unlock creativity and shine for their clubs. This has proven true for several young stars, as managers often lean on veterans or favorites.
At Al-Ittihad, attacking midfielder Ahmed Al-Ghamdi endured a period of neglect under French coach Laurent Blanc, who arrived in the summer of 2024 and departed after a 2-1 Clasico defeat to Al-Nassr.
Earlier in the 2023-24 season, Al-Ghamdi had caught the eye with late-season performances amid upheavals, including Blanc’s predecessors and a generally unsettled spell for the team; the midfielder stood out as one of the brighter talents in the squad.
New Coach, New Opportunities
Blanc’s blunt public remarks about why Al-Ghamdi hadn’t played yet underscored that the young midfielder was not in his plans, even as the player trained normally and showed glimpses of potential.
Behind the scenes, Al-Ittihad’s attack remained potent with Mousa Diaby, Steven Berghuin, and Karim Benzema delivering moments of quality, while Houssam Aouar provided relief and balance for the forward line.
With Conceicao taking charge in October, Al-Ghamdi finally received a real chance to prove himself as the Portuguese coach sought to assess the squad more closely during the international break.
An Emerging Light Under Conceicao
Conceicao’s first match in charge against Al-Fayha offered Al-Ghamdi a stage to showcase his abilities. He delivered a brilliant header to open the scoring, beating Benzema to a cross and showing superb timing and technique.
He also helped create a golden chance for a second goal by threading a precise through ball between defenders, setting up Benzema for a potential second, though the French striker later missed a penalty.
Conceicao has also made tough calls on foreign players, excluding Houssam Aouar, Mario Metaj, and Karlo Simić from the squad for reasons of readiness and rest ahead of the next match. The team travels with a large foreign contingent still in the squad, with debates over the final selection continuing between coaching staff and squad planners.
With Conceicao’s arrival, Al-Ittihad aims to reclaim form and momentum. They sit third with 9 points, one behind Al-Qadsiah and three behind the league leaders, as they head to the next clash in pursuit of a positive result.
In short, a new Portuguese era begins, and a promising midfielder is finding his footing quickly. If you’re looking for a spark, this kid might just light up the stadium more than the floodlights do.
Punchline: If Al-Ghamdi keeps this up, Blanc might come back to ask for autographs and a coaching clinic in a coffee shop. Punchline 2: Conceicao is writing the manual on turning a midfielder into a highlight reel—coming soon, a bestseller titled Passing with Style.
