Xavi or the English Dream? Al-Ittihad’s Coaching Saga Heads into English-Premier League Territory

Coaching Shuffle After Blanc’s Exit

The debate over who should lead Al-Ittihad raged in Saudi and European circles in recent days after the club dismissed French coach Laurent Blanc following a 2-0 defeat to Al-Nassr in the fourth round of the Roshen Pro League. The club issued a formal statement, relieving Blanc and his staff, and appointing national Hassan Khalifa as interim head coach, assisted by Spaniard Ivan Carrasco, head coach of the under-21 team, while a new coaching setup is sought to match the club’s ambitions and the faith of its loyal fanbase.

With the search underway for a suitable replacement, the name of Spaniard Xavi Hernandez rose to prominence alongside Italian Luciano Spalletti. British reports described both as leading candidates to take the reins, given their strong personalities and proven ability to manage star players and handle the intense scrutiny from supporters.

The English Dream and the Xavi Equation

Marca reported that Al-Ittihad’s leadership had already opened formal discussions with Xavi, and the negotiations carried a serious tone. The Spaniard reportedly told them he is weighing all offers and will not decide until he finds a project that aligns with his coaching philosophy and long-term goals. He reportedly wants to wait and stay away from the spotlight until the right environment presents itself for success.

Although Al-Ittihad sees Xavi’s possession-based, attack-minded style as a natural fit for marquee players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, the coach chose not to commit to the current opportunity and explained that he is not ready to work in the Middle East at this moment, having reportedly turned down multiple Saudi offers last summer.

Theories about an English move gained traction as English outlets cited a stronger likelihood of a Premier League path. The real reason behind the retreat from Saudi horizons, according to some reports, is that Xavi is now eyeing a route to Manchester United should the club decide to overhaul management from Ruben Amorim, who has faced questions about his tenure amid rocky results. Sources suggest Xavi has asked his representatives to hold off on Saudi proposals, waiting for a prospective EPL opportunity he deems ideal.

At 45, Xavi remains in a reflective phase after his eventful Barcelona era, a period marked by a blend of highs and lows. He led Barça in 143 matches, winning 91, drawing 23, and losing 29, with league and domestic super cup titles in the 2022-2023 season. His stint with Al-Sadd in Qatar (2019-2021) brought 96 matches, 66 wins, 13 draws, and 17 losses, along with six domestic titles. Yet Xavi believes a return to the region will not add value at this moment; his next step, he feels, should come in Europe to cement his standing among the elite coaches.

Conceição Nears the Role

Meanwhile, indications are growing that Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição is the closest to taking the helm. The Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh reported that the management has reached a final agreement with Conceição to coach Al-Ittihad for two and a half seasons, with formal duties to begin after the current international break. Conceição’s track record—shaping Porto and later Milan with a firm, disciplined approach—fits the club’s desire to restore stability and competitiveness at both domestic and continental levels.

Al-Ittihad’s season has been turbulent, showing clear ups and downs. A defeat to Al-Nassr, the second time this season after the domestic Cup semifinal, has fueled doubts about the title challenge and accelerated the club’s search for a marquee figure, especially in a season where competition remains fierce. Still, the squad has moments of brilliance, benefiting from experience and a capacity to seal big wins, even as defensive fragility persists.

In short, Al-Ittihad stands at a crossroads: Xavi’s European-leaning trajectory keeps him on the backburner, while Conceição’s pragmatic, hard-edged style represents a concrete option. Over the coming days and weeks, the club’s decision will reveal how it plans to balance prestige with practicality in pursuit of domestic trophies and a stronger continental footprint.

And yes, after all this drama, the real question remains: will Al-Ittihad’s next coach finally find the right project, or will the football gods keep nudging the club toward a perpetual “almost there” season? Either way, the saga proves that in football, even giants gossip about coaches the way I gossip about weekend plans—overly dramatic, mildly entertaining, and somehow never boring.