Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) Explained

Clubname:Al-Ittihad
Fullname:Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabian Club
Owner:Public Investment Fund (75%)
Al-Ittihad Non-Profit Foundation (25%)[1]
Chairman:Loay Mashabi
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Laurent Blanc
Ground:King Abdullah Sports City
Capacity:62,345
League:Saudi Pro League
Season:2023-24
Position:Pro League, 5th of 18
Current:2024–25 Al-Ittihad Club season
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Website:https://ittihadclub.sa/

Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabian Club (Arabic: نادي الاتحاد العربي السعودي|nādī al-Ittihad al-earabī as-saʿūdī|lit=Saudi Arabian Union Club), commonly known as Al-Ittihad is a Saudi professional football club based in Jeddah. It was founded in 1927.[2] The club has spent its entire history in the top flight of football in Saudi Arabia, currently known as the Saudi Pro League.[3] Al-Ittihad has won 50 championships from which 35 are official championships.

Al-Ittihad matches are played at Jeddah's main stadium King Abdullah Sports City, which is the second-largest stadium in Saudi Arabia, accommodating 62,345 spectators.[2] Al Ittihad has a long-standing rivalry with Al-Hilal, which is referred to as Saudi El Clasico, and is considered the most prominent and most watched annual match(es) rottiball.[4]

It is the oldest sports club still surviving in Saudi Arabia, as the club was founded in 1927. The most successful period in the club history was the 1990s and the 2000s, when the club achieved a large number of titles and achievements domestically, regionally, and even globally culminating in the club securing the 4th place in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship in Japan.

Al-Ittihad is one of the most successful Asian club at domestic and continental level, as they have achieved the AFC Champions League title twice in a row (one of only three Asian teams to achieve this, and the first to do so), the Asian Cup Winners' Cup once, the GCC Champions League and the Arab Champions League title each once.[5] Domestically, Al-Ittihad is also the second most successful club in Saudi Arabia (behind Al-Hilal), having won nine league titles, nine King's Cup titles, eight Crown Prince Cup titles, three Saudi Federation Cup titles and one Saudi Super Cup.[4] [6]

History

Creation (1927–1949)

The club was founded after a meeting of some of the notable football enthusiasts (Dean, Zahid, Shawn, and Jazza) of the city of Jeddah, on 26 December 1927. They met in the offices of the radio broadcasting company and discussed the idea of forming a football club to compete with various traveling teams and be a source of entertainment for inhabitants and an outlet for the city youth to practice organised sport. Everyone agreed that they should create the team that unites them and Ittihad Jeddah was born. The attendees were Hamza Fitaihi, Abdulrazag Ajlan, Abdullah Bin Zagor, Fahad Badkook, Abdulsamad Najeeb Alsaady, Ismail Zahran, Ali Yamani, Abdulaziz Jameel, Abdul Latif Jameel, Abdulateef Linjawi, Othman Banajah, Ahmad Abu Talib, Ali Sultan, Ahmed Almir and Saleh Salamah.

As long as we are here together, let's call it Al-Ittihad (Mazen Mohammed)

The name of club was quoted from this wisdom, Mazen Mohammed words which created the current club name. Club owners agrees with him to put the club name Al-Ittihad (United or Union, jointly) in Arabic.

Ismail Zahran team player who was working as in Radio Office in Jeddah to the possibility of electing the head of the works Mr. Sultan to be a President of the club, However, Ali Sultan became the first official president of the club. Al-Ittihad did not find at first a strong support, there wasn't an official clubs (communities) such as Al Riyadhi, because the presence of powerful culture in the city of Jeddah only. In their first meeting with Al-Riyadhi, Al-Ittihad make it victory with 3–0 won. The club has achieved a historic first tournament, which was called The Cup of Nishan Nazer, counted as an official tournament at the time, The cup have formed a popularity of Al-Ittihad, Because of a challenge between them in the final. Depending on the narrator, the winner can burn the Embassy wood's. The Championship attended by several of the clubs, communities, fought Al-Ittihad where several games to achieve access to the final. with Al-Mukhtalat. The weather was dust, did not complete the first half, the match was stopped about 10 minutes. the referee stopped the game to rest for 8 minutes, the weather was changed for the better with the second half, Al-Mukhtalat squad had led to fail, it was a low attacking level. The most prominent player in the game is the club's defender Safwan which was sacrificed for his team. the club won the championship by 3–0 against Al-Mukhtalat. The most important characteristic of this tournament is the first sporting event held in the reign of the founder King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud The periods of 1940 to 1950 remained difficult, as the Football Association was not established until 1956.[7]

The Start of The Official Tournaments, The First League Title, The Treble (1950–1999)

In late 1950s, it is considered as the first club to achieve both the Crown Prince Cup and the King's Cup for two consecutive times. On 2 May 1960, Al-Ittihad faced their traditional rivals Al-Ahli in the King's Cup, which ended with a big 7–0 victory, which is the largest victory in the derby. The tournament ended and the club became champions for the third time in a row over Al-Wehda, which completed the 1958, 1959, and 1960 series. The club went through its worst period since its founding, after winning the King's Cup in 1967, with the exception of achieving the Saudi Association Cup in 1974, after defeating Al-Hilal on penalties. In the following decade, the Saudi Pro League and the First Division were merged due to the many matches of the national team in 1982, which Al-Ittihad won its first league title in its history, which is the first and only club to achieve it. After an absence for 21 years, the club won the King's Cup after defeating Al Ettifaq in 1988.

In mid 1990s, Which is considered as the beginning of the golden age of the club, where a numerous of titles were achieved. In 1996–97, the club delivered a cup treble, winning the Premier League, Crown Prince Cup, and Federation Cup. After two seasons, the club won the league title for the third time in its history after eliminating rivals Al-Hilal in the final 2–0. The first continental championship was also achieved after winning 3–2 over Jeonnam Dragons with a golden goal, scored by Ahmed Bahja. GCC Champions League was also achieved, as the season ended with winning four trophies.[8] In 1999, The club was a runner-up in the Asian Super Cup, after losing 2–3 on aggregate to Júbilo Iwata.

New Century, A Miracle, Two Champions League Titles (2000–2010)

With the beginning of the new century during the period of president Ahmed Masoud, which is considered one of the most successful periods, winning 8 titles within 3 years. The 1999–2000 league season was achieved at the beginning of the century, after a 3–1 win over Al-Ahli in the final, also, Hamza Idris scored an unprecedented 33 goals, a record in that period, which made him the league's top scorer, and the most scored in a single season.[9] In the following season - the club winning the League for fifth time, and Crown Prince Cup. In the 2001–02 season, on May 1, 2002, Al-Ittihad lost the league final to Al-Hilal, a cross from a corner kick went to Al Hasan Al-Yami, who hit it and the ball entered the goal clearly before Al Hilal's Mohammed Al-Nazhan took it out with his hand. A goal was not awarded by the referee, even as a penalty kick, which in turn ended with a loss 1–2, where the referee was suspended six months after the final - and later apologized, declaring, "I am innocent of your defeat, and God bears witness to that." The match created a great controversy at all levels, as it faced a lot of criticism, which was considered by many and critics as a "robbery".[10] [11]

When Ahmed Masoud left the club, Mansour Al-Balawi became president, which is considered by many including the fans as the most prominent and successful period in the club's history. In the 2002–03 season, many players have been brought in, such as Tukar, Saud Kariri, Muhammad Al-Khilaiwi, and Tcheco; who is considered as one of the greatest deals in the club's history, while both the League and the Crown Prince Cup were achieved. Despite leading the league and ending it without a loss, Al-Ittihad lost the league final to Al-Shabab in the championship-playoff finals. In the 2004 AFC Champions League, Al-Ittihad finished the group in first place with only one loss. In quarter-finals, it was successfully passed with a 1–1 draw in Dalian, followed by a home 1–0 victory scored by Tukar, against Chinese Dalian Shide, of which led them to reach the semi-finals. Both matches ended in the last minutes, as Hamad Al-Montashari finished the first leg's 2–1, and Osama Al-Muwallad scored the deadly equalizer in the second leg, with a 4–3 aggregate over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, as the club qualified for the final for the first time.[12] The final was out of the ordinary; Al-Ittihad were thrashed at home 1–3 by Korean side Seongnam in the first leg—leading to the sacking of Croatian coach Tomislav Ivić, as assistant coach Dragan Talajić was given the opportunity. Who, in turn, started the return match in Seongnam, Redha Tukar opened the scoring, rising to a ball from a corner kick to score the first goal, Idris scored the second late minute goal in the first half, Mohammed Noor scored the two decisive goals in the second half, before Abushgeer scored the fifth and the last goal.[13] Overcoming the 1–3 loss with a miraculous 5–0 victory, to achieve the first title, Dragan Talajić achievement was unforgettable and almost impossible, this second leg match became one of the most surprising and unforgettable comebacks in AFC Champions League history, which was called "the miracle".[14] Recalling the tournament, Talajić said, "I was initially an assistant to the compatriots Tomislav Ivic, and I learned a lot from him, and I considered the opportunity to work with a great team as a wonderful thing, which is why I agreed to work with him, I was with the team eight months after we arrived at the beginning of the season, and I knew all about the players." and continued, "I was young at the time, and maybe I was crazy by playing with five strikers, I told everyone before the match that we would win, I always knew we would win, but I didn't know if the difference would be enough."[15]

Al-Ittihad achieved its first Arab championship, after defeating Tunisian Club Sportif Sfaxien in the final.[16] On 5 November 2005, Al-Ittihad won the Champions League for the second time in a row, after a 5–3 victory over Al-Ain. Mohammed Kallon, which loaned from AS Monaco, became the top scorer of the tournament with six goals; of which two were in the final—which helped to achieve the second title.[17] Mohammed Noor, was awarded the best player in the tournament. The club remaining as the only to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in its current edition. The club qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, in the edition that was held in Japan, after achieving the Champions League title—as it became the second Saudi team to qualify for the tournament. On December 11, 2005, Al-Ittihad defeated African champions Al-Ahly after Mohamed Noor's only goal, to qualify for the semi-finals. Al-Ittihad faced the CONMEBOL champion São Paulo, and it was ended by a 2–3 loss. Al-Ittihad played the match to determine the third place against the Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa and lost with a 2–3, were two goals scored by Mohamed Kallon and Joseph-Désiré Job—to end the Club World Cup in the 4th place. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter expressed his admiration, saying, "In 25 years, I have not seen an Asian team this great."[18] [19] Ittihad's success is not limited only to football, but also in basketball, water polo, table tennis, volleyball, and swimming, amongst others. In total, Ittihad has won 8,649 trophies. However, football remains the primary sport.

Rivalries

Jeddah Derby

See main article: Al Ahli Saudi F.C.–Ittihad F.C. rivalry.

The Jeddah derby between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli is known to be one of the most competitive games in the Saudi League. From the start of national competitions both clubs were seen as representatives of two rivals from the same city: Jeddah. This rivalry continued annually for more than 70 years, until Al-Ahli were relegated to the first division in 2022. The derby was back on October sixth 2023 with 1-0 Al-Ittihad loss.

Saudi Clasico

See main article: Saudi El Clasico.

Saudi El Clasico, or simply the Clasico, is a long-running competitive match in Saudi football, between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. The competition represents the largest and most important two clubs in the city of Jeddah and the capital, Riyadh, the largest and most culturally prominent cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two clubs are considered the most successful at domestic and continental level. Al-Ittihad is the oldest sports club still surviving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is seen as the People's Club. While Al-Hilal represents the culture of the Capital Club, it is called by the masses the Leader. The two teams meet twice a year in the league, as they may also meet in the King's Cup or the Saudi Super Cup or the AFC Champions League. It is considered as the most prominent and most watched match in Saudi football.

The first meeting between the two teams was held on July 27, 1962, a friendly match, in the capital, Riyadh, and ended with a 2–0 victory for Al-Ittihad. The first official meeting between the two teams was on January 10, 1964, the King's Cup Final, which in turn also ended with a 3–0 victory for Al-Ittihad.

Al-Hilal has the largest number of wins in the official meetings that brought the two teams together. The two teams faced each other in 148 official meetings, Al-Hilal won 63, while Al-Ittihad won 50, and the tie occurred in 35 meetings. Together with Al-Nassr, they are the only 3 teams that have not been relegated to the Second Division since its founding.

Present-day

Al-Ittihad is based in Sahafa street, Mushrefa district, in southeastern Jeddah, where they have a large sports complex. Senior teams play official games at the King Abdullah Sports City, north of the city, while youth teams play at the club's headquarters.

Al-Ittihad qualified for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup after winning the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League, but were eliminated in the second round by Al Ahly.

Fanbase

Al-Ittihad is the highest-attended club in Saudi Arabia. In the 2014-15 Saudi League, Al-Ittihad's attendance during 12 home games averaged 42,371 per match. In 2016, American website The Sportster ranked Al-Ittihad fans the 12th most influential football fans in the world.[20] [21] Al-Ittihad has built a strong fan-base across Saudi Arabia, amongst the Arab League and in Asia. Since its opening on 1 May 2014, Al-Ittihad shares the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with local rival Al-Ahli, while their previous home the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium faced construction until it was renovated in 2022.

Sponsorship

Official sponsor

In a press conference on 9 January 2006, president of the club Mansour Albalawi announced that Sela Sport Co (which is the sponsor of Saudi National Team) will pay 350 million riyals to sponsor Al-Ittihad for 5 seasons. Al-Ittihad was later on sponsored by the Saudi Telecom Company, however the team has not renewed STC's contract.

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
1999–03UmbroMultiple
2003–05LottoLingo
2006–07HattrickSTC
2007–08Nike
2008–10Lotto
2010–12Nike
2012–13One
2013–2014OneNone
2014–2015Errea
2015–2016AdidasBupa Arabia / Mobil 1
2016–2017Joma[22] Bridgestone / Unionaire / Almosafer / Mobil 1
2017–2018 Bridgestone / Unionaire / Mobil 1
2018-2019Noon / faqih / Mobil 1
2019Stribes /S.TeamNoon / faqih / C. Hub / Al Wefaq Rent A Car / Ibrahim Al-Qurashi
2020Tamimfaqih / C. Hub / Al Wefaq Rent A Car / Ibrahim Al-Qurashi
2021ErreàYelo / Emkan
2022-2023Nike[23] Yelo / Emkan / DARCO / SAL / Tameeni / ALAMOUDI
2023-2024Roshn[24] / SURJ Sports Investments / Nua
2024-2025Roshn[25] / SURJ Sports Investments / Yaqoot

Honours and statistics

Honours

Al-Ittihad is one of the most of successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, it has 35 official honours, 30 of which are domestic. In addition to their continental successes, the club is one of the only three Asian clubs to have won the AFC Champions League twice in a row.

Al-Ittihad honours!Type!Competition!Titles!Seasons
Domesticscope=colPro League91982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2023
scope=colKing Cup91958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1988, 2010, 2013, 2018
scope=colCrown Prince Cup81958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2017
scope=colSuper Cup12022
scope=colSaudi Federation Cup31986, 1997, 1999
Continentalscope=colAFC Champions League22004, 2005
scope=colAsian Cup Winners Cup11999
Regionalscope=colArab Champions League12005
scope=colGCC Champions League11999

Records & statistics

Other records

SeasonDiv.Pos.Pl.WDLGSGAGDPDomestic cupsAsiaOther competitionsTop scorerManager
1998–99SPL12215344532+1348CPCPFCACWC, ASCGCC   Davidovic
1999–2000SPL12216336923+4651CPC  Hamzah Idris 33 Oscar
2000–01SPL12211563523+1238CPCEC — — Ardiles
2001–02SPL22215435925+3449CPC — — Oscar
2002–03SPL12215435324+2949CPCPFCSSCEC 8 Oscar, Khalid Al Koroni
2003–04SPL22217505715+4256CPCACL  Mohammed Noor 8 Tomislav Ivić, Talajić, Luka Peruzović
2004–05SPL32211565337+1638CPCACLARCL  Sérgio Ricardo Messias Neves 13 Iordănescu
2005–06SPL32211924728+1942CPCACLQuarter-finals  Mohamed Kallon 12 Metsu
2006–07SPL12215345225+2748CPCPFC  Alhassane Keita 21 Dimitri
2007–08SPL22214624016+2448CCACLGroup Stage Magno Alves14 Calderón
2008–09SPL12217415721+3655CCPFCACL Hicham Aboucherouane17 Calderón
2009–10ZPL22214354630+1645CCACLGroup Stage Abdelmalek Ziaya15 Calderón, Enzo Héctor
2010–11ZPL226131214923+2051CCACLSemi-finals  Naif Hazazi18 Manuel José, Toni, Dimitri
2011–12ZPL52610794935+1437CPCACLSemi-finals  Hazazi20 Kek, Raul Caneda
2012–13ZPL7268993636033CC  Fahad Al-Muwallad  9 Raul Caneda, Beñat
2013–14ALJ62688104546−132CCACLQuarter-finals  Mukhtar Fallatah 31 Beñat, Amro Anwar, Juan Verzeri, Khalid Al Koroni
2014–15ALJ42616464433+1152CC  Marquinho 13 Khalid Al Koroni, Victor Pițurcă
2015–16ALJ32615475437+1749CCCPCACLGroup Stage  Gelmin Rivas 24 László Bölöni, Amro Anwar, Victor Pițurcă
2016–17ALJ42617455737+2052 (-3)CPC 19 José Luis Sierra
2017–18SPL9268993441-733CC 10 José Luis Sierra
2018–19MBS103097144445-134CC  Fahad Al-Muwallad  11
2019-20SPL113098134241+135  Romarinho 13 José Luis Sierra, Henk ten Cate, Fábio Carille
2020-21SPL330151144529+1656  Romarinho 16 Fábio Carille
2021-22SPL23020556229+3365  Romarinho 20 Fábio Carille, Cosmin Contra

League records

SeasonDivisionTms.Pos.Pts
1976–77Premier League8416
1977–78Premier League10419
1978–79Premier League10align=center bgcolor=#c96324
1979–80Premier League10align=center bgcolor=#c96321
1980–81Premier League10619
1981–82Premier League20(10)align=center bgcolor=Gold129
1982–83Premier League10616
1983–84Premier League10align=center bgcolor=Silver225
1984–85Premier League12622
1985–86Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Silver2
1986–87Premier League12723
1987–88Premier League12427
1988–89Premier League12627
1989–90Premier League12820
1990–91Premier League12526
1991–92Premier League12526
1992–93Premier League12align=center bgcolor=#c96326
1993–94Premier League12729
1994–95Premier League12730
1995–96Premier League12align=center bgcolor=#c96341
1996–97Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold144
1997–98Premier League12728
SeasonDivisionTms.Pos.Pts
1998–99Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold148
1999–00Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold151
2000–01Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold138
2001–02Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Silver249
2002–03Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold149
2003–04Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Silver256
2004–05Premier League12align=center bgcolor=#c96338
2005–06Premier League12align=center bgcolor=#c96342
2006–07Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Gold148
2007–08Premier League12align=center bgcolor=Silver248
2008–09Professional League12align=center bgcolor=Gold155
2009–10Professional League12align=center bgcolor=Silver245
2010–11Professional League14align=center bgcolor=Silver251
2011–12Professional League14537
2012–13Professional League14737
2013–14Professional League14637
2014–15Professional League14452
2015–16Professional League14align=center bgcolor=#c96349
2016–17Professional League14452
2017–18Professional League14933
2018–19Professional League161034

Performance in AFC competitions

SeasonStage
2001Quarter-finals
2002Second round
2003Did not qualify
2004bgcolor=GoldChampions
2005bgcolor=GoldChampions
2006Quarter-finals
2007Did not qualify
2008Group stage
2009bgcolor=SilverRunner-up
2010Group stage
2011Semi-finals
2012Semi-finals
2013Did not qualify
2014Quarter-finals
2015Did not qualify
2016Group stage
2017Couldn't obtain AFC license due to financial issues
2018Couldn't obtain AFC license due to financial issues
2019Quarter-finals
2020Couldn't obtain AFC license due to financial issues
2021Couldn't obtain AFC license due to financial issues
2022Couldn't obtain AFC license due to financial issues

Top scorers in the AFC Champions League

RankingNationalityNameYearsGoals
1Mohammed Noor1996–1319
2Naif Hazazi2006–1314
3Hamzah Idris1997–079
4Fahad Al-Muwallad2012–228
5Abdelmalek Ziaya2009–117
Mukhtar Fallatah2012–167
Romarinho2018–7
8Marzouk Al-Otaibi2000–076
Osama Al-Muwallad2000–166
Mohammed Kallon2005–066
Ahmed Bahja1996–996
12Hicham Aboucherouane2008–105
Redha Tukar2003–135
Manaf Abushgeer1999–125
15Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi2013–214
Sultan Al-Nemri2006–124
Abderrazak Hamdallah2023-4
Gelmin Rivas1999–124
Dimba20044
20Renato Cajá20093
Tcheco2003–083
Faouzi Abdelghani2012–143
Mohammed Abousaban2009–163
Nasser Al-Shamrani2018-193
Hamad Al-Montashari2001–163
Saleh Al-Saqri1999–123
Sultan Al-Nemri2006–123
Amine Chermiti2009–103
Ziyad Al-Sahafi2015–193
Abdulfattah Asiri2012–163
Saud Kariri2007–173
Nuno Assis2010-113
Wendel2011–123

AFC club rankings

Rankings are calculated by the AFC.[26]

Last update: December 1, 2017

RankingClubAssociationCoefficient
4415 +29Persepolis Iran10.90202102657.902
2516 +9Gamba Osaka Japan13.52702951057.527
1417 -3Shandong Luneng Taishan China13.40981025.5056.909
1118 -7Pohang Steelers South Korea1827011056
1919Al-Ittihad Saudi Arabia13.4823015051.48
2220 +2Al Sadd Qatar8.8681819.52250.368
Source: Global Football Ranks

Asian record

Al-Ittihad results
SeasonRoundResultOpponentVenue
Group stage 2–0 Al-ArabiJeddah, Saudi Arabia
3–1 NeftchiFergana, Uzbekistan
2–3 SepahanFuladshahr, Iran
4–0 SepahanJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–0 Al-ArabiKuwait City, Kuwait
3–0 NeftchiJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Quarter-final1–1 Dalian ShideDalian, China
1–0 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Semi-final2–1 Jeonbuk H.M.Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2–2Jeonju, South Korea
Final1–3 Seongnam I.C.Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
5–0Seongnam, South Korea
Quarter-final1–1 Shandong LunengJinan, China
7–2Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Semi-final5–0 Busan IParkBusan, South Korea
2–0Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Final1–1 Al AinAl Ain, UAE
4–2Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2006Quarter-final2–0 Al-KaramahJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–4Homs, Syria
Group stage 1–0 BunyodkorJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–0 Al-IttihadAleppo, Syria
1–2 SepahanFuladshahr, Iran
0–1 SepahanJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–2 BunyodkorTashkent, Uzbekistan
3–0 Al-IttihadJeddah, Saudi Arabia
2009Group stage2–1 EsteghlalJeddah, Saudi Arabia
3–1 Umm SalalDoha, Qatar
0–0 Al JaziraDubai, UAE
1–1 Al JaziraJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–1 EsteghlalTehran, Iran
7–0 Umm SalalJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Round of 162–1 Al-ShababJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Quarter-final1–1 PakhtakorTashkent, Uzbekistan
4–0Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Semi-final6–2 Nagoya GrampusJeddah, Saudi Arabia
2–1Nagoya, Japan
Final1–2 Pohang SteelersTokyo, Japan
2010Group stage0–3 BunyodkorTashkent, Uzbekistan
2–2 Zob AhanJeddah, Saudi Arabia
2–0 Al-WahdaAbu Dhabi, UAE
4–0 Al-WahdaJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–1 BunyodkorJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–1 Zob AhanFuladshahr, Iran
2011Group stage3–1 PersepolisJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–0 BunyodkorTashkent, Uzbekistan
3–0 Al-WahdaAbu Dhabi, UAE
0–0 Al-WahdaJeddah, Saudi Arabia
2–3 PersepolisTehran, Iran
1–1 BunyodkorJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Round of 163–1 Al-HilalJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Quarter-final3–1 FC SeoulJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–1Seoul, South Korea
Semi-final2–3 Jeonbuk H.M.Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–2Jeonju, South Korea
2012Group stage4–0 PakhtakorJeddah, Saudi Arabia
3–1 Al-ArabiDoha, Qatar
1–0 BaniyasJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–0 BaniyasAbu Dhabi, UAE
2–1 PakhtakorTashkent, Uzbekistan
3–2 Al-ArabiJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Round of 163–0 PersepolisJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Quarter-final4–2 Guangzhou EvergrandeJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–2Guangzhou, China
Semi-final1–0 Al-AhliJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–2Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2014Group stage0–1 TractorTabriz, Iran
2–1 Al-AinMakkah, Saudi Arabia
0–2 LekhwiyaDoha, Qatar
3–1 LekhwiyaMakkah, Saudi Arabia
2–0 TractorMakkah, Saudi Arabia
1–1 Al-AinAl Ain, UAE
Round of 161–0 Al-ShababMakkah, Saudi Arabia
3–1Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Quarter-final0–2 Al-AinAl Ain, UAE
1–3Makkah, Saudi Arabia
2016Qualifying play-off2–1 Al-WehdatJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Group stage1–1 LokomotivTashkent, Uzbekistan
1–1 LokomotivJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–2 Al-NasrJeddah, Saudi Arabia
0–0 Al-NasrDubai, UAE
4–0 SepahanDoha, Qatar
2–0 SepahanMuscat, Oman
2019Group stage5–1 Al-Rayyan SCJeddah, Saudi Arabia
4–1 Al Wahda FCAbu Dhabi, UAE
3–2 LokomotivJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–1 LokomotivTashkent, Uzbekistan
2-0 Al-Rayyan SCDoha, Qatar
1-1 Al Wahda FCJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Round of 162-1 Zob Ahan SCDubai, UAE
4-3Doha, Qatar
Quarter-final0–0 Al-Hilal FCJeddah, Saudi Arabia
1–3Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Players

[27]

Out on loan

Notable players

Players with senior international caps:

Staff

Current Managers Team

PositionStaff
Head coach Laurent Blanc
First Assistant head coach Franck Passi
Assistant coach Thomas Fernandez
Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa
Goalkeeping coach Jesús Salvador
Fitness coach Nicolas Girard
Fitness coach Adrian Aguirre
Data analyst Antoine Clare
Video Analyst Cedric Tafforeau
Medical Team Sergio Gomez
Medical Team Ali Yagdah
Psychiatrist Laya Vinaksa
Physiotherapist Iván López
Nutritionist Vitor Teixeira
Academy manager Marco Koorman

Board Directors

President Loay Mashabi
Vice President Abdulaziz Al-Zaid
Chief Executive Officer Domingo Suarez De Oliveira
Director of Football Ramón Planes
Board Member Fahad Sindi
Board Member Abdullah Al-Ghamdi
Board Member Abdullah Al-Husaini
Board Member Fares Al-Hejailan
Board Member Suhaib Jamjoom

Managerial history

NameFromTo
align=Left Omar Shendi19601960
align=Left Khalil Abo Zaid19611961
align=Left Saeed Hussain19611962
align=Left Fritz19661967
align=Left Bashir Al-Sagheer19671968
align=Left Fritz19681969
align=Left Ali Chaouach19701970
align=Left Abdullah Abo Dawood19701970
align=Left Ali Selmi19751977
align=Left Jamel Eddine Bouabsa19771978
align=Left Dettmar Cramer19781981
align=Left Mahmoud El-Gohary19811981
align=Left Chinesinho19811982
align=Left Carlos Alberto Silva1982April 10, 1983
align=Left ChinesinhoApril 10, 1983May 13, 1983
align=Left Joubert Luis Meira[28] 19831984
align=Left Vanderlei Luxemburgo19841984
align=Left Bob Houghton19841986
Walter Skocik19871989
Heinz Höher19891990
Kálmán Mészöly19911992
Roland Andersson19931993
Bob Houghton19931994
Paulo Campos19951996
Dimitri Davidovic19961997
Sándor Egervári19971997
Dezső Novák19971998
Paulo Campos19981998
Dimitri Davidovic19981999
José Oscar Bernardi19992000
Revaz Dzodzuashvili20002000
Dimitri Davidovic20002000
Giuseppe Dossena20002001
Osvaldo Ardiles20012001
José Oscar Bernardi20012003
Antonello Cuccureddu20022003
Tomislav Ivić20032004
Dragan Talajić (interim)July 1, 20042004
Luka PeruzovićDec 2004March 2005
Anghel IordănescuMarch 26, 2005June 30, 2006
Bruno Metsu2006April 26, 2006
Vahid HalilhodžićJune 5, 2006August 1, 2006
Dimitri DavidovicAugust 1, 20062007
José Candinho20072007
Estevam SoaresDec 20, 2007Aug 23, 2008
Gabriel CalderónMay 22, 2008January 13, 2010
Enzo TrosseroJanuary 20, 2010May 30, 2010
Manuel JoséJune 2, 2010December 24, 2010
ToniDecember 28, 2010May 15, 2011
Dimitri DavidovicMay 15, 2011November 28, 2011
Abdullah Gurab (interim)November 29, 2011December 19, 2011
Matjaž KekDecember 20, 2011February 8, 2012
Abdullah Gurab (interim)February 8, 2012February 27, 2012
Raul CanedaFebruary 27, 2012February 23, 2013
Beñat San JoséFebruary 23, 2013December 8, 2013
Juan VerzeriJanuary 6, 2014February 26, 2014
Khalid Al-KoroniFebruary 26, 2014August, 2014
Amro AnwarAugust 28, 2014October 16, 2014
Victor PițurcăOctober 16, 2014June 12, 2015
László BölöniJuly 21, 2015October 23, 2015
Victor PițurcăDecember 8, 2015July 21, 2016
José Luis SierraJuly 22, 2016May 20, 2018
Ramón DíazMay 23, 2018September 20, 2018
Slaven BilićSeptember 27, 2018February 24, 2019
José Luis SierraFebruary 24, 2019October 20, 2019
Mohammed Al-Abdali (interim)October 20, 2019November 4, 2019
Henk ten CateNovember 4, 2019February 11, 2020
Piet Hamberg (interim)February 11, 2020February 17, 2020
Fábio CarilleFebruary 17, 2020August 24, 2021
Cosmin ContraAugust 29, 2021July 4, 2022
Nuno Espírito SantoJuly 4, 2022November 7, 2023
Hassan Khalifa (interim)November 7, 2023November 18, 2023
Marcelo GallardoNovember 18, 2023July 2, 2024
align=left Laurent BlancJuly 13, 2024Now
Source:[29]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saudi Arabia's PIF takes over Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. BBC Sport. 5 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Al-Ittihad Club History. 2021-12-17. www.footballhistory.org. 2020-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809020713/https://footballhistory.org/club/al-ittihad.html. live.
  3. Web site: Club Saudi Professional League Association. live. 2021-12-17. spl.com.sa. 2021-12-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217221250/https://spl.com.sa/en/single_club?team=2kzl64gp8x37bon8tyxojqrr1.
  4. Web site: Saudi Arabia's Eternal Rivalry: Al Hilal v Al Ittihad. 2021-12-17. the-AFC. en. 2021-12-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217221254/https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/saudi_arabia%E2%80%99s_eternal_rivalry_al_hilal_v_al_ittihad.html. live.
  5. Web site: Tale of two winners: Al Hilal 2019 v Al Ittihad 2004-05. 2021-12-17. the-AFC. en. 2021-12-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217210220/https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/tale_of_two_winners_al_hilal_2019_v_al_ittihad_2004-05.html. live.
  6. Web site: 2015-05-27. Al Ittihad Football Club recognised by Guinness World Records for back-to-back AFC Championship league wins. 2021-12-17. Guinness World Records. en-gb. 2021-09-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20210924172409/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/5/al-ittihad-football-club-recognised-by-guinness-world-records-for-back-to-back-af-379683. live.
  7. Web site: 2007-06-13 . FIFA.com . 2021-12-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070613053941/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ksa/index.html . 13 June 2007 . dead.
  8. Web site: Dimitri, and quadruple of the century.. live. 2022-01-01. www.al-jazirah.com. 2021-09-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210917124852/https://www.al-jazirah.com/1999/19990511/sp32.htm.
  9. Web site: Hamza Idris comments on Hamdallah breaking his historical record in the Saudi league Goal.com. live. 2022-01-03. www.goal.com. ar. 2022-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103045704/https://www.goal.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF/1b0q75tpfv86uz4lxn32mvntc.
  10. Web site: 2022-01-01. Al-Nazhan Hand's alriyadiah. live. 2022-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20220101220256/https://arriyadiyah.com/511795. 2022-01-01.
  11. Web site: 2020-03-19. The hand of Al-Nazhan, which gave Al-Hilal an expensive title Goal.com. live. 2022-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20200319180739/https://www.goal.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7/krnq2tcrpqiq1e8pdp7jwoqec. 2020-03-19.
  12. Web site: 2020-11-20. Recalling Al-Ittihad's glory days Arab News. 2022-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20201120012142/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1758646/sport. 2020-11-20.
  13. Web site: 2022-01-01 . ACL Final: A look back at Al Ittihad's inspiring 2004 comeback win - Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results - GHANAsoccernet . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220101220251/https://ghanasoccernet.com/acl-final-a-look-back-at-al-ittihads-inspiring-2004-comeback-win . 1 January 2022 . dead.
  14. Web site: 2011-12-31 . Al Ittihad coach Dimitri Davidovic believes anything is possible in AFC Champions League semi-finals after Manchester City's unexpected 6-1 win over United - Goal.com . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111231063108/http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2011/10/26/2728384/al-ittihad-coach-dimitri-davidovic-believes-anything-is-possible- . 31 December 2011 . dead.
  15. Web site: Al-Jazirah. 2022-01-03. www.al-jazirah.com. 2022-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103032737/https://www.al-jazirah.com/2005/20051105/sp7.htm. live.
  16. Web site: What is the history of the Al-Ittihad's participation in the Arab Cup? And what is the best achievement? Goal.com. live. 2022-01-06. www.goal.com. ar. 2022-01-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20220106135726/https://www.goal.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%83%D8%A3%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2/1cvadhf3gidia1vxe6q5x53tds.
  17. Web site: 2011-07-26 . AS MONACO FOOTBALL CLUB - SITE OFFICIEL - Actualité - Mohamed Kallon prêté à AL ITTHIAD . 2022-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726012329/http://www.asm-fc.com/article.aspx?id=935 . 26 July 2011 . dead.
  18. Web site: Saudi clubs in the Club World Cup .. The kick-off to Al-Nassr and achievement for Al-Ittihad Goal.com. live. 2022-01-11. www.goal.com. 2022-01-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111160311/https://www.goal.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D9%83%D8%A3%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1/1pzbe87b2g87i1801i8j3m47vj.
  19. Web site: 2009-05-01. Blatter on Al-Ittihad.. live. 2022-01-11. صحيفة الاقتصادية. ar. 2022-01-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111154924/https://www.aleqt.com/2009/05/01/article_19763.html.
  20. Web site: جمهور الاتحاد ضمن أفضل جمهور في العالم . 7 August 2016 . 31 January 2023 . 31 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131094331/https://ittitigers.com/61495 . live .
  21. Web site: عالمي : جماهير الاتحاد تحتل المركز 27 على مستوى العالم . 16 January 2016 . 2023-01-31 . 2023-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131094329/https://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/259467 . live .
  22. Web site: AL ITTIHAD FC JOINS JOMA SPORT. 12 May 2016. 12 May 2016. en. 17 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160517102007/http://www.joma-sport.com/news/al-ittihad-fc-joins-joma-sport. live.
  23. https://twitter.com/ittihad/status/1586315828533657601 النادي يتعاقد مع شركة نايك للملابس
  24. News: . 2023-06-08 . Real estate developer ROSHN becomes platinum sponsor of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad . Arab News . 2024-02-01.
  25. News: . 2023-06-08 . Real estate developer ROSHN becomes platinum sponsor of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad . Arab News . 2024-02-01.
  26. Web site: AFC Club Ranking (2012‐2015). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 14 September 2015. 6 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151006101754/http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/afc_club_rankings_06082015.pdf. live.
  27. Web site: لاعبي الاتحاد في الفريق الأول . Al-Ittihad players in the first team . 15 August 2023.
  28. Web site: Mais de 40 anos vivendo futebol. luxemburgo.com.br. pt. 18 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130821104902/http://luxemburgo.com.br/texto.php?cod=8. 21 August 2013. dead.
  29. Web site: نادي الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم - منتدى الاتحاد السعودي - #شبكة_الاتحاد. ar. 2015-02-01. 2015-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20150202001356/http://www.ittihadnet.net/net/showthread.php?t=29310. dead.