Earlier this month, Al-Ittihad chief Anmar Al-Haili insisted that Nuno Espirito Santo would not be leaving the Saudi Pro League outfit in the midst of a fierce title fight. Whether those comments were made in hope rather than expectation, however, is anyone’s guess.
“Coach Santo is staying,” Al-Haili said. “All that is said about his departure are just rumours. His contract will be renewed. And our focus is only on the field.”
With The Athletic reporting that Nuno is now ‘under discussion’ by Leeds United – and would relish a third stab at the Premier League – those ‘rumours’ are now becoming increasingly difficult for Al-Ittihad to ignore.
Would Nuno Espirito Santo take the Leeds United job?
Arne Slot turned down a relegation battle at Elland Road in favour of an Eredivisie challenge at Feyenoord. Andoni Iraola has his sights firmly fixed on guiding Rayo Vallecano into Europe. According to The Athletic, however, there is a belief that Nuno, in contrast to Slot and Iraola, could be lured away by the prospect of saving one of England’s most historic and best-supported clubs from the dreaded drop.
That is despite the fact that his Al-Ittihad side are currently enjoying a run of results few teams the world over are capable of matching right now. Six wins in a row, the most recent a 5-0 thrashing of Al-Adalah on Friday night. Only goal difference is keeping Al-Ittihad off the top of the Pro League table; Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr only ever-so-slightly ahead.
Did we mention that, during that six game, Nuno also claimed his first ever cup win as a manager? Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Fayha in Riyadh to secure the Saudi Super Cup, ending the former Porto’s bosses run of final defeats at the third time of asking.
Nuno wins his first ever cup in Saudi Arabia
“We played for the Super Cup with focus and we achieved it. Now, our focus is on the league and the King’s Cup,” Al-Ittihad’s former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi tells Kooora; hailing Nuno’s expert man-management.
“Everyone is committed and has a great deal of responsibility. There is no difference between the main players and the reserves for coach Nuno. Everyone works with great focus.”
Nuno, after a disappointing end to his otherwise outstanding spell at Wolves and following that ill-fated stint at Tottenham, may feel he has unfinished business in England with Leeds in need of a saviour. But, with further silverware up for grabs, Hegazi will not be the only one at Al-Ittihad hoping to see Nuno take a leaf out of Arne Slot’s book.
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