Al Ittihad Coach Sacked After Dressing Room Clash With Karim Benzema

• Al-Ittihad boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked by the Saudi club
• The Portuguese manager was axed after a poor run of results
• Karim Benzema and Nuno had clashed before his sack on Tuesday

Al-Ittihad announced on Tuesday, November 7, that they have parted ways with the Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo, a day after his altercation with Karim Benzema.

Nuno and the former Real Madrid superstar were involved in a heated exchange following the club’s 2-0 defeat to Iraqi side Al Quwa Al Jawiya in the AFC Champions League on Monday.

According to GOAL, the outcome provoked a bitter verbal brawl between captain and manager, with Benzema and Nuno apparently exchanging insults for some time after the final whistle.

Al-Ittihad have been winless in their last five outings in the Saudi Pro League, and the defeat against Al Quwa Al Jawiya was the final straw for the club’s owners, who had to make a decision.

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Now without a manager, reports indicate that Al-Ittihad may attempt to hire a Frenchman to please Benzema, who has yet to reach the pinnacle of his talents with the Saudi club.

Why Al-Ittihad let Nuno go

Despite significant investment in players such as Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante over the summer, Nuno Espirito Santo supervised only two wins in Al-ttihad’s past nine games in all competitions, Daily Mirror reports.

The experienced Portuguese manager guided the club to their first league title in 14 years in May, having already won the Saudi Super Cup, but a poor start to this season’s campaign meant he had to go.

Al-Ittihad currently trails league leaders Al-Hilal by 11 points after 12 rounds of action and has also struggled to impress in the Asian Champions League.

Nuno wants Benzema sacked

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Nuno Espirito Santo has communicated to the Al-Ittihad board that the tactical approach he employs does not align well with the playing characteristics of Karim Benzema.

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Benzema announced his departure from Real Madrid in June, ending a 14-year tenure marked by four La Liga triumphs and an impressive five UEFA Champions League victories.

The Frenchman went on to ink a contract with Al-Ittihad for a duration of two and a half years, reportedly valued at €600 million.