EXCLUSIVE: Vitor Pereira in talks for Al-Ittihad job

Updated: 14 Nov 2023 19:32 GMT
3 min read

Vitor Pereira is in discussions to assume the role of head coach at Saudi Arabian football club Al-Ittihad, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Portuguese is set to rival Julen Lopetegui for the post with the Pro League club who sacked manager Nuno Espirito Santo after a poor run of form.

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He has enjoyed success in league championships in both his home country, Greece, and China throughout his somewhat nomadic career.

Pereira's coaching journey has seen him in the Pro League before, too, when he managed Al-Ahli, while he has had talks with Everton and Crystal Palace in the past over jobs.

Despite being relatively unknown in English football, he has a track record of winning trophies and developing notable players like Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Nicolas Otamendi, and Hulk.

Pereira's coaching history

His coaching history includes a successful stint as coach at Porto, where he won the Primeira Liga twice. And at Olympiacos, where he won a domestic double.

Furthermore, Pereira has also managed clubs Fenerbahce and Shanghai SiPG, winning the Chinese Super League in 2019 with the latter.

Al-Ittihad have been looking for a coach since letting go of Santo. His sacking came after a row with Karim Benzema during a defeat in the AFC Champions League.

All eyes on me 🐐 pic.twitter.com/PZhHrqHL60
— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) November 12, 2023

He was sacked after five winless games in the league. Benzema joined Al-Ittihad as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner over the summer and the former Spurs boss was said to have criticised the striker.

'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."

Al-Ittihad wrote in a statement confirming his exit: “This decision comes after a comprehensive technical evaluation of the past phase which he was in charge of coaching the first team.”

Read more about: Professional League