Al-Ittihad Fire Nuno Espirito Santo With Zinedine Zidane Cited As Possible Replacement

Al-Ittihad fired Nuno Espirito Santo amid talk of a falling out with Karim Benzema. Zinedine Zidane is reportedly on Al-Ittihad's list of possible replacements.

Reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have fired manager Nuno Espirito Santo following an underwhelming start to the season.

Al-Ittihad have taken 21 points from their first 12 SPL games and currently sit 11 behind leaders Al-Hilal.

Nuno's final match in charge was a 2-0 loss to Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Air Force Club) in the AFC Champions League on Monday.

The former Wolves and Tottenham manager led Al-Ittihad to two trophies in his first season in Jeddah.

As well as topping the SPL table, Al-Ittihad won last year's Saudi Super Cup.

But Al-Ittihad have been far less impressive since the massive nationwide recruitment drive that took place over the summer.

Nuno Espirito Santo pictured during his final Saudi Pro League game as Al-Ittihad manager :: IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Victor Fraile

Al-Ittihad spent around €140 million on transfer fees in the summer, bringing in the likes of Fabinho from Liverpool, Jota from Celtic and Luiz Felipe from Real Betis.

Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante also arrived on free transfers from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.

Nuno appointed Benzema as his captain at the start of the season.

However, according to Relevo, Benzema had been pushing for Nuno to be dismissed in recent weeks.

Karin Benzema has been Al-Ittihad's captain since joining from Real Madrid in June :: IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Victor Fraile

Meanwhile, reports in Saudi Arabia claim that Al-Ittihad have identified two French coaches as possible replacements for the Portuguese.

One is Zinedine Zidane, who worked with Benzema at Real Madrid for two seasons between 2019 and 2021.

Former France national team manager Laurent Blanc is also said to be on Al-Ittihad's shortlist of candidates.

Both Zidane and Blanc are currently out of work.

Zidane has not held a management role since leaving Madrid in May 2021. Blanc was sacked by Lyon in September.

Benzema previously worked under Zinedine Zidane in Madrid :: IMAGO/Pressinphoto/Ruben Albarran