Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad have confirmed the departure of their manager after it was reported he got into a heated verbal exchange with club star Karim Benzema.
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Things are seemingly unpleasant at the home of the Saudi champions. The Tigers are currently on a five-match winless run in the top flight, and things came to a head after their most recent 2-0 defeat in the AFC Champions League against Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.
According to Relevo, manager Nuno Espirito Santos made it clear he was unhappy with his players' attitude at half-time and Benzema is believed to have not taken the criticism lying down. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner refuted the tactician's sentiments and the exchange escalated to the point where the pair even began insulting each other.
During the argument, it is said the Portuguese coach criticised the Frenchman for isolating himself from the squad off the pitch, while the attacker claimed he is not a fan of Santos' authoritarian style of management.
The verbal altercation is said to have fractured their relationship, and Al Ittihad have since made the decision to fire the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.
Good Luck Nuno ????#ThankYouNuno pic.twitter.com/cMUKvftbKK
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) November 7, 2023
The same report claims that Benzema has massive influence at the club and not just on the field.
Now, they will be looking to hire a Frenchman in order to accommodate their two star off-season acquisitions, the Lyon native and Les Bleus midfielder N'Golo Kante.
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Zinedine Zidane is the dream manager for the club's owners, but even after the mega-rich Saudi outfit reportedly offered the three-time Marseille native a blank cheque, he refused to sign. Now, they are reportedly targeting Zidane's teammate from the 1998 FIFA World Cup-winning French team, Laurent Blanc.
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