Ex-Tottenham and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo ‘fighting to save his job’ just months after winning historic title
FORMER Tottenham and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is fighting to save his job at Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
Following a historic victory in May that secured the league title, the Jeddah-based club has suffered back-to-back defeats – casting doubt on the Portuguese boss’ position.
After Nuno’s former side, Tottenham faced five defeats in seven matches he found himself unemployed in November 2021 – despite having been in charge for four months.
Just under a year later, the 49-year-old was appointed the manager of the Saudi Professional League side in July 2022.
Since his arrival, Al-Ittihad has won the Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi Pro League title.
But in a swift turn of events, the reigning champions encountered back-to-back losses against Iraqi giants Air Force Club and Saudi rival Al-Shabab.
And according to sports journalist Rudy Galetti, the Saudi side are undergoing an “internal evaluation of the position of Nuno” after the defeats.
Al-Ittihad currently sit sixth in the table with only six wins out of 12 games this term.
The report also claimed no final decision has been made yet but the club are exploring possible replacements including Jose Mourinho and ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Saudi side are clearly drawn to ex-Wanderers managers as Nuno led the West Midlands side through four terms from 2017-2021.
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Nuno had great success with Wolves guiding them from the Championship to successive seventh-placed Premier League finishes and a Europa League quarter-final.
And only just months into his new role at Al-Ittihad Santo held talks with his ex-club about a potential return.
But a sticking point in Nuno’s contract at the Pro League giants forced him to remain in the Gulf state.
The ex-Porto star signed a two-year deal while also taking three former Wolves staff members with him to the Middle East.
First-team coach Ian Cathro, fitness specialist Antonio Dias and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa all made the move to Saudi.