Saudi media say Union weighs 3-4m euro exit

Media reports say Al Ittihad’s board, headed by Fahd Sandi, is looking for a suitable way to end the contract of Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, with no desire to keep him at the club next season.

Conceicao took over from Frenchman Laurent Blanc in October last year and recorded 21 wins in 41 matches, a success rate of about 50%, alongside seven draws and 13 defeats.

He did not deliver any trophy for the team, which exited the King Cup in the semi-finals and left the AFC Champions League Elite in the quarter-finals. Al Ittihad finished the Saudi league season fifth with 55 points, securing a place in the playoff round for next season’s AFC Champions League Elite.

The exit clause under discussion

Sports journalist Majed Hudd said on television: "Conceicao will not be Al Ittihad’s coach next season, and this decision has been settled. Financial matters related to his formal dismissal are now being discussed."

He added: "There is an exit clause in Conceicao’s contract worth between 3 and 4 million euros, and it will be paid to end the relationship between the two sides."

Earlier reports said the heavy 5-1 loss to Al Qadsiah in the 34th and final round of the Saudi league accelerated the Portuguese coach’s departure from the Tigers. Those reports also said Al Ittihad are now working to end the deal in the best possible way, especially since Conceicao’s contract runs for two more seasons and includes a large exit clause.