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Marcelo Gallardo was sacked by Al Ittihad after struggling to rally support within the team
According to reports, former Al Ittihad manager Marcelo Gallardo was fired after the Argentine manager asked the club to sell star forward Karim Benzema.
Al Nassr president confirms Gallardo departure
After less than six months in charge, the highly regarded Argentine manager was sacked by Al Ittihad following only 15 wins in 33 matches during which he also lost 14 matches, recording the worst win percentage of his managerial career so far.
Following a 5-0 loss to rivals Al-Ettifaq, Gallardo’s time with Al Ittihad was up and he was relieved of his job.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Ronaldo, Al Ittihad president Nazer noted that Gallardo was sacked due to a falling out with star forward Benzema. Speaking on Gallardo’s exit, Nazer said, “Gallardo made significant mistakes by requesting the removal of Benzema, which is unacceptable. He is an essential part of Saudi Arabia's and the club's project”.
Benzema struggling in Saudi Arabia
As part of efforts to prop up the Saudi Pro League, Al Ittihad signed former Real Madrid captain, Benzema in the summer of 2023, presenting the French striker to a capacity 62,000 King Abdullah Sports City stadium.
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Despite the fanfare that greeted Benzema’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, the ex-France international has failed to live up to expectations in Saudi Arabia, scoring only 13 goals in 29 matches and facilitating the sacking of two coaches, Nuno Espirito Santos and now Gallardo.
The former Real Madrid star has struggled to replicate the form that earned him a move to Al Ittihad in the first place as the club continues to struggle in the league and continental competition but remains key to the team and league as one of the poster boys Saudi Pro League helping to bring other players to the competition.
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