After Gerrard and Al-Shehri…a deal is confirmed for a name known to the Saudi league

Today, Monday, Al-Etifaq Club has completed the signing of Portuguese coach Pedro Emmanuel to lead the first football team next season, Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya has revealed.

The club is awaiting approval from the Association’s Financial Stability Committee Saudi Arabian Professional LeaguePrior to the official announcement of the signing of the Portuguese coach, who previously coached Al-Nasr, Al-Taawoun and Al-Khaleij in addition to his most recent experience with Al-Fayha.

The newspaper confirmed that Emmanuel toured Al-Ittifaq club headquarters accompanied by members of its technical staff where he was briefed on the club’s facilities, reserve stadiums as well as the training center for the first team. The executive director of the club, Hamad Al Mutawa, took part in the tour, and the chairman of the board of directors, Samer Al Meshal, took part in the contract signing ceremony.

The Portuguese coach will use his own technical staff, marking the end of a contractual relationship with the England assistant staff, who previously worked with England coach Steven Gerrard and then continued in his role under Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri, despite staff members’ contracts until next summer.

The accord administration had previously opened lines of negotiations with Pedro Emanuel twice, the first in 2021 and the second in 2023, but no final agreement could be reached then. In 2021, the Portuguese coach chose to coach Al-Nasr, while negotiations were suspended in 2023 after the management of the agreement decided to sign one of the most famous stars in world football, Gerrard.

Pedro Emmanuel is considered one of the big names in the Saudi League after he led Al-Taawun to the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup in 2019. He also coached Al-Nasr for a short period in the 2021-2022 season before going through a two-season stint at Al-Kahal. last.

After the competition ends Roshan Saudi LeagueLast Thursday, Al-Fayha announced the Portuguese coach’s departure from the team, prompting a swift return to the Saudi league via the Al-Ettifaq portal.