The former Al-Ittihad coach explains the reason for the team’s crisis

Argentine Gabriel Calderon, former Saudi Al-Ittihad coach, explained the reason for the club's recent crisis.

Al-Ittihad exited the 2023-2024 season without titles despite participating in 6 different tournaments.

Calderon said in an interview with Al-Riyadiya newspaper: “I achieved the league.” With Al-Ittihad after waiting 14 years, and for me it was special. I always wanted to return to Saudi Arabia, and Al-Ittihad in particular, but things never worked out.”  

Calderon was asked about the reason for Al-Ittihad’s avoidance of tournaments, and he replied: “Perhaps Al-Ittihad’s problem has two names, namely the Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr teams.”

He added: "These two clubs each have a large team, and only one team can hold the cup, and this happens in various major leagues such as the English and Spanish ones."

And whether he believes that Al-Ittihad is out of competition for the Roshen League title this season, he replied, saying: “Al-Ittihad has the Frenchman Laurent Blanc, who is a new coach, and he is quietly building the team. Winning is not easy, and for me what is important is that the team be able to Competing for all titles after that we will see what happens, but Al-Ittihad always needs victory after victory and to obtain one cup at the end of the season.”