Al-Ittihad Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Spalletti with a Mega Offer

Big Offer, Bigger Ambitions

Sources close to the matter disclosed details of a lucrative offer from Al-Ittihad’s management to Italian coach Luciano Spalletti, aimed at persuading him to take charge of the team in the near future.

Al-Ittihad is seeking a suitable successor to its former manager Laurent Blanc, who recently left after a defeat to Al-Nassr in the fourth round of the Roshen Pro League, inaugurating his second season with the club on a rocky note as the board could not tolerate waiting for Blanc to deliver more.

Respected Italian journalist Nicolò Shirà reported that Al-Ittihad has presented a substantial bid to Spalletti to win his consent for a coaching stint in the Saudi league.

Spalletti, the former Italy boss and Napoli coach, is the primary recruitment target for Al-Ittihad, explaining the club’s persistence and the hefty offer.

Shira noted that the proposed contract would run for two seasons, offering a stable testing ground and plenty of time for him to imprint his strategy.

Saudi press had already indicated the club would decide on the new coach during the upcoming international break this month, before preparations for facing Al-Fayha on October 17 away in the league’s fifth round.

Al-Ittihad hopes the new coach will have started work already, especially given October’s tough tests in every sphere.

Alongside a challenging AFC Champions League match against Al-Shorta at their ground, the defending domestic champions face a busy schedule in two competitions: in the league they will meet Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated Clasico on October 24, and four days later they face Al-Nassr in the King’s Cup last-16.

Should the deal be sealed, the club will want the coach to hit the ground running, noting that some of his compatriots faced adaptation difficulties in Saudi football, as Stefano Pioli last season with Al-Nassr, and Roberto Mancini in the past.

On the other hand, current Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi did not need long to start showing his ideas, even though his preferred style at Inter Milan did not mirror what the leaders had grown used to under Jorge Jesus, the former coach of Al-Nassr.

In terms of results, Inzaghi’s beginnings with Al-Hilal have been deemed successful, with notable numbers in the Club World Cup and in the Saudi league, and in the Asian scene.

Experience matters

Luciano Spalletti is one of Italy’s most prominent coaches over the past two decades, having built his name with Roma, Inter Milan, and guiding Napoli to the 2022/2023 Serie A title. He also took charge of the Italian national team, underscoring his ability to work under high pressure. This background gives him a strong edge to handle a club the size of Al-Ittihad, which operates under intense domestic and continental expectations.

Tactical balance

Spalletti favors flexible systems, notably 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, with an emphasis on possession and variety in attacking build-up. He leverages full-backs as attacking outlets and allows wingers to cut inside and create space. Defensively, he relies on high pressing to force errors, yet can shift to a compact mid-block when needed, a balance that has made him one of Europe’s most adaptable coaches.

Advantages and challenges

His strength lies in player development, instilling tactical discipline, and leadership within the locker room. The main challenge in the Saudi league remains the physical burden, requiring sustained pressure and dynamic movement, which could necessitate reinforcements in midfield and wide areas, raising questions about January readiness. Adapting to local climate and competition cadence may also take time.

Al-Ittihad’s gamble

With a roster of stars and substantial financial backing, Spalletti is a logical choice to restore technical balance. His ability to blend defensive organization with attacking creativity could bring the stability the club has lacked, but success will depend on how quickly players absorb his philosophy and on management backing his technical demands.

If Spalletti signs, expect a decision that hinges on rapid integration and a plan that respects the physical tempo of the league. And if the crosshair metaphor feels over the top, remember: in football, precision wins games, and the scoreboard rarely lies.

Sniper note: Spalletti’s tactics hit targets with such precision that even the goalkeeper asks for a copy of his playbook. In a room full of questions, he brings the right answer—one clean shot at a time.