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The crisis in the Saudi Arabian federation is no longer limited to results on the ground or delays in concluding deals. Rather, it has descended into a state of administrative confusion that has angered fans, who now see the club going through one of its most difficult periods in years in light of controversial decisions and financial crises that threaten the team’s entire project.
After a season in which Al-Ittihad fell short of their key goals, fans expected a strong Mercato to bring the team back into contention, but what has happened so far has painted a completely different picture: delays, backsliding and right-to-refusal deals in the absence of a clear vision for the future.
Liquidity crisis… the root of the problem
The biggest problem within the federation is financial rather than technical as the data shows that the administration suffers from a clear lack of liquidity which has been directly reflected in its movements in the transfer market.
Many names have been linked with a move to Deccan, from Imam Ashour and Marawan Attia, Ezeedin Onahi to Raphael Onedica, but talks have not turned into real deals, while the administration has been content to enter a race it knows in advance it may not be able to resolve.
In fact, the crisis reached a more serious stage, after the administration pulled out of the end of the Abdullah Redif deal, despite the agreement with the player, due to the lack of financial liquidity necessary to complete the contract, so the player was then transferred to another place.
Mercato without result
The name Al-Ittihad has appeared in most of the transfer news, but has been absent from the actual deals. Every time a club appears as a contender for a prominent player, negotiations have ended without any results, whether due to weak financial capacity, wavering decision-making or a change in priorities within the administration.
The scene gave the fans the impression that Al-Ittihad were negotiating more than signing, while rival clubs took advantage of this slowness to quickly settle their targets.
Vissing pays the price early
The contract with the German coach Jens Wissing became the beginning of a new project, but the reality shows that he has not yet acquired the tools that will allow him to implement his ideas.
The coach asked for clear reinforcements, especially in the position of central player and playmaker, but the management failed to meet these demands, so the preparatory period began with a clear shortage in some key positions.
The issue is compounded if Mercato continues at its current pace, as the team could enter the new season with almost the same lineup, despite everyone admitting it needs a rebuild.
The masses lost confidence
Perhaps the most dangerous outcome of this crisis is the widening of the gap between the administration and Al-Ittihad fans. Demands for administrative changes are increasing every day, after a large section of fans began to believe that the crisis is not related to the coach or players, but to the way the club is run and the lack of clear planning.
As the start of the new season approaches, the management looks set to face a real test. Either he manages to save Mercato and restore the fans’ trust, or he enters the season in a charged atmosphere that could make the pressure greater than ever.
