Al-Ittihad Appoints Portugal’s Sérgio Conceição as Head Coach

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have named Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição as their new manager on a deal that runs until 2028. He replaces Laurent Blanc, who departed earlier this month following a string of disappointing results.

Conceição arrives at Al-Ittihad after being dismissed by AC Milan in May, where his tenure ended with the club finishing eighth in Serie A and missing out on European competition. He joins Al-Ittihad amid expectations to restore consistency and keep the club in title contention. In a video announcement, he declared: “I am Sérgio Conceição, I came to make history with Al-Ittihad.”

Following Al-Ittihad’s slip to third place in the league after their loss to Al-Nassr, the club had entrusted assistant coach Hassan Khalifa and Under-21 coach Ivan Carrasco to manage interim duties. The leadership change underscores Al-Ittihad’s urgency to recover their dominant status domestically.

Conceição’s appointment signals more than just a coaching swap—it also represents a tactical shift for Al-Ittihad. The management expects him to bring his experience from European competition to bear, implementing a style that blends defensive organisation with dynamic attack. The move has stirred optimism among fans and analysts who believe he has the capability to meet the club’s high ambitions.