Former Man Utd star and Al-Ittihad head coach Laurent Blanc asked to leave after club's defeat in Saudi Pro League

Laurent Blanc was sacked as Al-Ittihad coach, just a year after leading them to a historic double. His dismissal followed a 2-0 loss to Al-Nassr, capping a poor start to the season despite his surprise at the decision. The club, under pressure with star players, is now reportedly considering Xavi Hernandez as his replacement.

Football manager, and former Al Ittihad head-coach Laurent Blanc/ Image: X

Just over a year after leading Al-Ittihad to one of the most successful seasons in their history, Laurent Blanc is out of a job. The former France international and World Cup winner was shown the door by the Saudi Pro League champions, only a day after a stinging 2-0 loss to Al-Nassr, a result that seemed to tip the scales decisively against him.

From champion to casualty in 24 hours

For a man who walked into Saudi Arabia with a winning pedigree and left with a league title and King’s Cup in his first season, the fall was swift and stark. Friday night’s defeat, powered by goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, was Al-Ittihad’s third loss in a month. But it wasn’t just about one match. It was about momentum, injuries, expectations, and a club under pressure to deliver on a global stage. The decision, while not entirely unexpected, came quickly. On Saturday, the club released a short statement across their platforms: "Al-Ittihad announces the termination of its contractual relationship with the first team’s head coach, Mr. Laurent Blanc and his coaching staff." For Blanc, 59, the writing may have been on the wall. His team had stumbled out of the gates this season: a 2-1 loss to Al-Nassr in the Super Cup semi-final, a poor start to the AFC Champions League campaign with defeat to Al Wahda, and now this.

"I’m Surprised": Laurent Blanc reacts

Still, the Frenchman didn’t seem to see it coming. After the loss to Al-Nassr, he responded to questions about his future with visible surprise. "This is our first loss in a long time. We have achieved 17 wins and one draw in our last 18 home matches. So, I am surprised by this question, and we must review the results". He pointed to mounting injuries, especially in defence, as a key factor. "I’m having defensive problems that I’ve discussed before. I don’t have many solutions, as they depend on the available players. Currently, I only have Ahmed Sharahili and Yassin [Al Jaber]". Elaborating further, he added, "Injuries are part of football, but the pressure of matches [every three days] has made the situation more difficult, and most of the injuries have been in the back line. " But in the world of modern football, patience is in short supply, especially when world-class players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho are part of your dressing room. Success isn’t just expected, it’s demanded.

Who'll be the next man up?

Now, attention turns to who might replace Blanc. Early signs point toward a blockbuster name: Xavi Hernandez. According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Al-Ittihad have already made contact with the former Barcelona manager, who left Camp Nou earlier this year. Xavi has long been admired for his footballing intelligence and calm leadership, qualities that may be exactly what Al-Ittihad need in this turbulent moment. Whether Xavi accepts the challenge remains to be seen. But one thing is clear; Al-Ittihad’s ambitions remain sky-high. And in a league that continues to attract global attention, the pressure to perform has never been greater. Blanc may be gone, but the race to steady the ship has only just begun.

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