Conceição criticises Saudi player mentality

Sergio Conceição, the former Al-Ittihad coach, sparked widespread controversy with statements criticizing the mentality of some Saudi players, speaking about absences from training and relying on foreign stars to shoulder the responsibility.

Sérgio Conceição stated during his appearance on the podcast "La Tripletta" that some local players had been absent from training for reasons he described as excuses, including the illness of a family member or waking up for Fajr prayer and then going back to sleep.

The Portuguese coach added that the problem, in his view, does not relate to the players' abilities, but rather to the culture of work and discipline, emphasizing that enforcing commitment and dealing with this mentality were among the toughest challenges he faced.

Conceição criticized some Saudi players for relying on the presence of foreign professionals, stating that the presence of global stars has made local players feel comfortable, on the assumption that the foreigners will bear the pressures and responsibilities on the pitch.

In contrast, he praised the stars of Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Fabinho, and N'Golo Kanté, explaining that they did not cause any problems and that they possess the intelligence and professionalism necessary to adapt to the atmosphere of the Saudi Pro League and its hot weather.

The former coach criticized Al-Ittihad's management for relying too much on fan reactions via social media, stating that some news is leaked to the media to test the fans' stance and gauge their reactions.

Sérgio Conceição admitted that the attractive financial offer was one of the reasons for his move to coaching in Saudi Arabia, rejecting the claim that he chose the experience solely because of the appeal of the Saudi Pro League. He also questioned the difficulty of some rules imposed on foreign coaches.

Al-Ittihad ended their relationship with Conceição by mutual consent in June 2026 after a season without trophies, finishing the Saudi Pro League in fifth place. His experience with the club has come back into focus following his recent statements.