From Riyadh to London: Gallardo Returns to River Plate, Santo Eyeing England, Blanc Exits the Saudi Dream
1 octobre 2025
Al-Ittihad's Coaching Shuffle Continues
The Saudi club Al-Ittihad closed another chapter in its recent coaching saga, a period defined by marquee signings and global stars backed by investment funds. The club celebrated trophies, then reset expectations with every managerial change as if swapping playlists.
Blanc Departs After a Domestic Double
The club publicly thanked French coach Laurent Blanc, who steered them to a domestic double last season, winning the league and the King's Cup. Yet as results faltered in Blanc's second campaign, the board moved quickly to seek a fresh direction for the squad.
What’s Next After Al-Ittihad
Whispers linked Blanc with another big club, including Manchester United, as the French icon remains a sought-after figure in coaching. His departure will fuel interest from several clubs looking for a project with experience and elegance.
Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo’s name resurfaced in England after a productive stint abroad. The Portuguese coach, who revived Nottingham Forest, could attract new offers as teams seek a pragmatic rebuild anchored in structure.
Santo's English Chapter: Forest to the Premier League
Arriving in December 2023 to help avoid relegation, Santo stabilized Forest’s defense and installed clear tactical discipline. In 2024-2025, the team exceeded expectations by finishing seventh and reaching the FA Cup semi-final, earning a contract extension to 2028. Yet disagreements over recruitment and long-term plans contributed to his dismissal in September 2025, leaving a durable impression of his capability to lift underperforming clubs.
The move opened a path for his next challenge in England, with West Ham United later among potential destinations. Santo’s reputation as a builder of competitive teams remains intact.
Return Home: Gallardo Rejoins River Plate
Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo answered the call from his homeland and returned to River Plate, the club he knows inside out. In his previous tenure, he guided River Plate through 69 matches with 32 wins, 25 draws and 12 defeats, a solid foundation rather than a flawless record. His second act aims to restore River Plate’s domestic and continental swagger with his signature high-pressing style and focus on big-match mentality.
Since rejoining in August 2024, Gallardo has sparked strong fan enthusiasm, with more than 80,000 supporters greeting him at the Monumental. The return is seen as a heritage move, reinforcing that the best stories in football often come home.
If he stays on the project and strengthens the squad with high-quality additions, River Plate could again chase major trophies. The road is long, but the fans feel the first signs of a fruitful revival.
Punchline 1: If coaching were dating, Blanc would be the guy who shows up with a bouquet and a cliff notes version of a five-year plan—dramatic, but maybe not durable.
Punchline 2: Santo’s next chapter in England might need a bigger diary—he’s good at turning struggles into stories, but let’s hope the plot twist includes more trophies than tickets to the cinema.
