Jens Wissing (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Al-Ittihad have appointed German coach Jens Wissing on a two-year contract after a disappointing domestic campaign.
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Al-Ittihad have officially appointed
Jens Wissing as the club's new head coach, handing the highly rated German a two-year contract that will keep him in Saudi Arabia until the summer of
2028.
The 38-year-old replaces Sérgio Conceição, whose spell in charge ended after Al-Ittihad finished only fifth in the Saudi Pro League and failed to win a trophy last season.
Asian success earns major opportunity
Although Wissing is still at an early stage of his career as a head coach, he has built an impressive reputation in Asian football.
His most recent job was with Gamba Osaka, whom he guided to the AFC Champions League Two title after defeating Al-Nassr 1-0 in the final.
Before taking charge in Japan, Wissing spent several years as an assistant coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach, PSV Eindhoven and Benfica, working extensively alongside respected German coach Roger Schmidt.
A different direction for Al-Ittihad
Wissing's appointment represents a significant shift in Al-Ittihad's recent recruitment strategy.
Since the Saudi football boom began, the club has consistently turned to internationally renowned coaches.
Former managers include Nuno Espírito Santo, Marcelo Gallardo, Laurent Blanc and most recently Sérgio Conceição, all of whom arrived with established reputations at the highest level.
Instead of another high-profile appointment, Al-Ittihad have now opted for one of Europe's emerging coaching talents.
A younger project on and off the pitch
The managerial change may also reflect a broader shift in Saudi football.
Rather than relying exclusively on experienced stars, several leading Saudi clubs have started investing more heavily in younger players and long-term squad development.
Al-Ittihad are no longer built around household names such as Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté.
Instead, the club's current squad includes promising talents like Roger Fernandes, Jan-Carlo Simić and George Ilenikhena, suggesting the club is placing greater emphasis on building for the future.
Wissing now faces the challenge of returning Al-Ittihad to the top of Saudi football while proving that a younger coach can succeed in one of the world's most ambitious leagues.