Portugal's Playbook for Al-Ittihad: Will Conceição or Santo Rewrite the Club's Destiny?
4 October 2025
Portuguese Roots and a Coaching Quest
Al-Ittihad's history with Portuguese coaches has rarely been long or straightforward, but the club is once again weighing Sérgio Conceição, the Porto and Milan figure, as Laurent Blanc departs after a string of results that threaten the Roshen Pro League title bid.
Why Conceição or Santo Are Now in the Frame
The 50-year-old Conceição is among the leading candidates to take the helm, bringing a reputation for discipline, flexibility, and a hard edge that some players respond to—traits fans hope can steady a squad chasing both domestic glory and continental progress.
The Portuguese thread with Al-Ittihad dates back to 2010 with Manuel José, the veteran who arrived after a celebrated spell in Egyptian football. Under his leadership, the team dominated domestic titles and left a mark in the club's narrative, helping to embed a Portuguese influence in the club's modern era.
However, José's stint lasted only half a season. He delivered moments of quality, yet a protracted run of draws—one-ones with teams like Al-Wehda and seven more draws in total—ultimately paved the way for his exit after a goalless draw with Najran.
He was replaced by Tonny, the Portuguese coach with broader European experience who had a stint with Al-Ahli as well. He couldn't secure a win against Al-Hilal, settling for a 0-0 draw, and then bowed out after a loss to Al-Ettifaq in the King's Cup quarterfinals.
Though results later showed some improvement, the moment came when a defeat to Persepolis in the AFC Champions League group stage signaled the end of his tenure and reawakened the club's interest in fresh Portuguese ideas.
After roughly twelve years away from the Portuguese school, Al-Ittihad pivoted toward a different appointment in Cosmin Contra's stead and recruited Nuno Espirito Santo, the English league veteran whose reputation grew in Portugal and England.
Santo, who guided Wolverhampton in a golden spell, became the longest-serving coach at the club since the era of Chilean Luis Sierra, overseeing 53 matches with 37 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, yet his tenure ended amid mounting concerns that ultimately forced a change.
Among the criticisms was a strained relationship with stars such as Karim Benzema, who publicly questioned his defensive work. In big matches, key results also bled away— a 4-3 classic loss to Al-Hilal, a 1-0 derby defeat to Al-Ahli, a 0-1 loss to Al-Shabab, and a 2-0 defeat to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in Asia, even though the team progressed to the Round of 16 later.
Today, Conceição stands out as a leading candidate. The Portuguese coach built his reputation with Porto from 2017 until 2024, combining a stern personality with a flexible tactical approach—often using 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 and pressing high while exploiting wide areas. He is also noted for developing young players and integrating them with veterans.
Critics caution that his strong personality sometimes causes friction with referees or clubs, and at times his intensity can be hard on players in high-stakes matches. Nevertheless, many see him as the right figure to restore stability, discipline, and ambition to a squad that aspires to compete domestically and in Asia again.
Bottom line: the ongoing Portuguese thread continues to influence Al-Ittihad's philosophy, and the decision on the next coach will shape the rest of the season and perhaps the club's identity for years to come.
Punchline 1: If tactical plans were sniper rifles, Conceição would demand the exact headshot—just not at the press conference, please.
Punchline 2: If the Portuguese school could guarantee trophies with a wind-up key, Al-Ittihad would soon be mounting a bigger shelf—and maybe a forklift to move it around the stadium.
