Leeds United interviewed former Wolves boss Nuno Espirto Santo in the spring and the Iberian head coach is now facing the sack at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad.
After a summer of heavy spending and a handful of big-name arrivals, some rather probing questions were always likely to come Nuno Espirito Santo’s way. This, after all, is an Al-Ittihad side boasting such talents as N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and the Ballon D’Or-winning Real Madrid legend that is Karim Benzema.
So the sight of Nuno’s side slipping 11 points off the top of the Saudi Pro League table was not one the club’s bosses would have been expecting, Al-Ittihad are winless in five domestic games, while a 2-0 defeat by Iraqi outfit Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the Asian Champions League appears to have pushed their embattled head coach even further down the plank, a watery grave awaiting.
Leeds United missed out on Nuno Espirito Santo
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Nuno’s position is now under serious threat. A modern day Molineux icon, Nuno was interviewed by Leeds United in February and could now find himself out of work some nine months later, Al-Ittihad lining up ex-Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick as a potential replacement (The Athletic).
TMW are unequivocal. Another defeat at home to Abha on Friday, they say, will spell the end of Nuno’s time at the club, last season’s league and cup double not enough to save his skin.
‘Embarrassing and shameful’
“Al-Ittihad lost in Iraq… in such an embarrassing and shameful manner!,” reads a particularly savage piece from the Saudi version of Goal. “That is absolutely unacceptable.
“I do not dispute at all that there were many reasons that played an important role in Al-Ittihad’s loss, and their very lacklustre appearance. Such as injuries, the poor condition of the field, crowd pressure, and the opponent’s strong desire to win.
“But this does not change the fact of the matter, which is that it is time to say ‘Game Over’ to coach Nuno Espirito Santo.”
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