09 November 2023 , 02:00
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Nuno Espirito Santo's Al-Ittihad sacking came after a row with Karim Benzema during a humbling AFC Champions League defeat, it has been claimed.
Former Tottenham and Wolves boss Nuno led his team to the Saudi Pro League title last term, and the addition of stars including Benzema and N'Golo Kante was supposed to take them to the next level. Instead, though, the team from Jeddah are well off the pace set by league leaders Al-Hilal.
Nuno was sacked after five winless games in the league. It was a continental result which appeared to be his undoing, though, with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq handing them a 2-0 defeat in bad-tempered circumstances.
According to Saudi outlet Al Riyadiah (via The Mail), Nuno told Benzema he was "too lazy to put pressure on your rival". Benzema is said to have pushed back, telling the manager: "Don't just talk to me, talk to the whole group".
It didn't end there, though, according to the same report. Benzema joined Al-Ittihad as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, and Nuno is said to have pointed to the veteran's seniority with his criticism.
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'You are the leader of the team, the example for the players and the most important athlete," Nuno reportedly said. "You must take the initiative and be an example for all the players."
What have you made of the drama in Saudi Arabia? Have your say in the comments section
Karim Benzema's new club have struggled this season (Getty Images)A number of managers have been mentioned as potential replacements for Nuno, including Benzema's compatriots Zinedine Zidane and Laurent Blanc. Blanc has managed Benzema before, taking charge of the French national team as they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
“This decision comes after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the past phase which he was in charge of coaching the first team.” Al-Ittihad wrote in a statement confirming Nuno's exit. Jose Mourinho, who managed Nuno during the ex-goalkeeper's playing days at Porto, is another name to have been mentioned in connection with a Saudi switch.
""I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there," Mourinho told MBC Egypt in October. "I don't know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this [working in Saudi Arabia]. Doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to feel the development there."
Previously, though, he indicated he had turned down a significant offer from the country. "During the holidays, I received the biggest and craziest offer a coach has ever received in the history of football," Mourinho said in September.
"And I turned it down. I did so because I'd given my word to my players, I'd given my word to the fans and I'd given my word to the club owner."