Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição is under increasing pressure at Al Ittihad after his team’s significant struggles in the Saudi league, despite success in other competitions, dimming hopes for a title defense.
The club is now 13 points behind league leader Al Nassr following a 0-1 loss to Al Ahli in the recent Jeddah derby. This defeat extended Conceição’s winless streak in the league.
Under Conceição, Al Ittihad has registered two draws and two losses in the Saudi Pro League. He has yet to secure a victory in domestic league play.
This poor league form stands in stark contrast to the team’s performance in other tournaments. Al Ittihad has won all three of its matches in the Champions League and Cup competitions.
Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal in the 55th minute of the derby match against Al Ahli.
Reports from the Saudi press indicate a troubled atmosphere within the Al Ittihad locker room. Players are reportedly struggling to comprehend the coach’s tactical ideas.
Conceição himself described the derby as “an ugly game, with a lot of time-wasting.” He added that Al Ahli’s “will to win was stronger than ours.”