Despite Karim Benzema’s Heroics, Al Ittihad Close to Sacking Nuno Espirito Santo as They Eye Mid-Season Replacement

After Cristiano Ronaldo’s $500 million move to Saudi club Al Nassr, several top European soccer stars followed suit to move to the SPL. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema also secured a move to Al Ittihad and has been ever-present for the club. However, despite leading the SPL table in September, Al Ittihad is now 5th, prompting the board to look for replacements for current coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

Benzema has scored 5 goals and made 3 assists in 9 games for Al Ittihad. But the club hit a poor run of results shortly after the ex-Real Madrid star’s injury. As per the latest reports, after their 2-2 draw with Al Hazm recently, Al Ittihad’s owners are on the verge of sacking Nuno Espirito Santo and are lining up another coach to come in.

Al Ittihad on the verge of sacking Nuno Espirito Santo despite Karim Benzema’s efforts

Al Ittihad have won 1 drawn 3 and lost 1 in their last 5 games, a run that has seen the club relinquish the top spot of the SPL table. According to recent reports in the Saudi media, Al Ittihad’s owners have begun searching for a replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo after the club’s poor run of results.

The tweet by Saudi media on X reads: “The federation’s management has begun searching for a replacement coach for Nuno Santo. It is expected that he will be dismissed after the next meeting.”

News of Nuno Santo’s imminent sacking comes just after Karim Benzema’s vital performance for Al Ittihad in their draw against Al Hazm. The former Real Madrid forward scored 1 and assisted 1 in the game but his club could only draw the game despite going ahead twice.

Also read: Despite Boasting $200 Million Paycheck, Karim Benzema Gets Massive $16 Million Blow in Transfer Market After Joining Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad

Karim Benzema was on target against Al Hazm

Against Al Hazm in Al Ittihad’s recent SPL clash, Benzema found the back of the net with a goal reminiscent of his Real Madrid days.

After N’Golo Kante won the ball in midfield, the former Chelsea midfielder played a pass to Benzema who had made a run into the box. Benzema then beat the Al Hazm defender with a cheeky fake and finished in style with his weaker foot.

Benzema also assisted Hassan Kadesh for Al Ittihad’s 2nd goal following a loose ball that dropped to him from a corner. However, despite Benzema’s heroics, Al Ittihad could only get 1 point on the night as Al Hazm came back twice to equalize.

Al-Ittihad are now 5th in the SPL after 11 games and are 5 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal. So, whether they can go on to win some silverware this season remains to be seen.

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