OFFICIAL: Portuguese legend appointed as coach of Ronaldo’s club rival

Portuguese icon Sergio Conceicao has officially returned to coaching by accepting the head coach position at Al Ittihad, the direct competitor of Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

After days of speculation, Al Ittihad has formally named Sergio Conceicao as head coach under a contract running until 2027. This news was confirmed by trusted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano with his signature phrase “Here we go!”, confirming the deal is done.

According to Foot Mercato, the Portuguese manager will replace Laurent Blanc, who was recently dismissed by Al Ittihad following a disappointing run of results. Conceicao’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move to restore the Saudi Pro League champions to winning ways and fully leverage the strength of their star-studded squad.

Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Sergio Conceicao had a brief spell managing AC Milan but was sacked after just 31 matches due to underwhelming performance. Previously, the 50-year-old coach gained acclaim by leading FC Porto to multiple domestic titles and building a team known for disciplined, strong, and effective play.

In the past, Conceicao also managed Nantes and Lyon, where he earned praise for organizing solid defenses, quick counterattacks, and inspiring his players. After leaving Milan at the end of the 2024/25 season, he was a free agent, and Al Ittihad quickly seized the chance to bring the Portuguese strategist on board.

Sources from the Middle East report that Sergio Conceicao has flown to Jeddah to finalize contract formalities and will be officially introduced in the coming days. He is expected to start coaching immediately with the goal of bringing Al Ittihad back to the top of the Saudi Pro League and competing for the 2025 AFC Champions League title.

Currently, Al Ittihad boasts world-class stars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinhoplayers who have achieved glory in Europe. Under Conceicao’s guidance, the club hopes to maximize the experience and quality of these stars.

Notably, Al Ittihad is fiercely competing with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr atop the Saudi Pro League standings. The rivalry between these two giants is making the league more exciting than ever.

With a contract lasting until 2027, Al Ittihad fans expect Sergio Conceicao to usher in a new era of success, restoring the “Jeddah Golden Tigers” to their glory days and solidifying Saudi Arabia’s top football status on the continental stage.