Last-Minute Turnaround: Benzema’s Green Light to Blanc’s Exit at Al-Ittihad
28 septembre 2025
The 2-0 defeat to Al-Nassr in the fourth round of the Saudi Pro League was more than a setback; it marked the turning point that ended Laurent Blanc’s tenure at Al-Ittihad after 442 days in charge.
In the hours after the loss, the club’s board held urgent meetings and issued an official statement early Sunday announcing the termination of Blanc and his staff, ending a relatively short but trophy-filled spell.
The club’s statement on X thanked Blanc for his efforts and contributions.
As a temporary measure, Hasan Khalifa, the national team coach, will lead the squad with Iván Carasco overseeing the Under-21s until a full technical staff is appointed, aligning with the club’s ambitions and the fans’ expectations.
Benzema’s Green Light
Behind the scenes, French captain Karim Benzema is said to have played a decisive role, giving the green light for Blanc’s dismissal at a Saturday night meeting that stretched to midnight, with the news breaking a few hours later.
Sources note Benzema is a trusted voice in the dressing room and believed Blanc’s continued tenure no longer served the team’s best interests, especially as results dipped and harmony between coach and players waned.
The Road Ahead: Coaching Names in the Frame
The club wasted no time exploring options, opening talks with two prominent candidates and planning to decide during the upcoming break. Spanish outlet AS linked Portuguese Sérgio Conceição, former Porto and Milan boss, to the role, while Spanish coach Xavi Hernandez was also discussed as a potential fit, reflecting Al-Ittihad’s appetite for a coach who can restore balance and momentum.
Blanc’s Legacy and the Road Forward
Blanc took charge in July 2024 under a contract through June 2026 and delivered a domestic double in his first season—the league title and the King’s Cup—reinstating Al-Ittihad’s status locally. In 46 matches across all competitions, he oversaw 35 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, a 76% win rate, a testament to the initial turnaround. The team had been unbeaten at home in Jeddah for 22 games before the latest setback.
Yet this season has seen a downturn, with a semifinal loss in the Saudi Super Cup to Al-Nassr and a defeat to UAE’s Al Wahda in the AFC Champions League opener, followed by the league defeat to Al-Nassr, pushing the administration to act in pursuit of stability and progress.
Punchlines: If Blanc’s plan was to extend his stay, he’d have earned a statue. If Benzema ever loses a coin toss, he simply turns it into a transfer rumor. And if you think this is dramatic, wait until the press conference—this saga has more twists than a midfield dribble.
