After an altercation between Nuno Espirito Santo and Karim Benzema, the Al-Ittihad club decided to oust the Portuguese coach.
Reigning Saudi Arabian champion, Al-Ittihad is having a complicated start to the season. The Jeddah-based club have won just one of their last six matches and already find themselves falling behind in the title race. And things are not going any better in the Asian Champions League since Karim Benzema and his partners were beaten on Monday evening by the Iraqi team of Al-Qowa Al-Jawiy (2-0). One defeat too many for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Tuesday evening, Al-Ittihad announced the dismissal of the Portuguese technician, who also pays for his stormy relationship with Karim Benzema. According to information from Saudi media Arriyadiyah, a big clash broke out between the two men in the locker room after Al-Ittihad’s defeat in Iraq.
“You are a great player, but you are too lazy”
Nuno Espirito Santo would have said to the French attacker: “You are a great player, but you are too lazy to put pressure on the‘opponent. » And the former Madrilenian would have retorted: “Don’t just talk to me, talk to the whole group. » Enough to piss off his coach: “You are the captain, a reference for all players and the most important footballer. We must lead by example and be an example for everyone. »
The Spanish media Relevo adds that the relationship between the 2022 Ballon d’Or and the ex-Tottenham coach was already not in good shape before this altercation. Karim Benzema would also have requested his departure from his leaders, who ended up listening to him.
