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Marcelo Gallardo has agreed an 18-month contract with coach Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N’Golo Kanté at Al Ittihad, sources in Argentina told ESPN.
The reigning Saudi Pro League champions reached an agreement with the former River Plate coach after sacking Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo last week, six months after he guided them to a victory.
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Al Ittihad currently sits fifth in the Saudi rankings with a 7-3-3 record, 11 times more than league leaders Al Hilal.
Gallardo, 47, last coached a year ago, when he led River to a 4-0 victory over Real Betis in Mendoza. His overall career record in 425 games is 228-111-86.
He is the most successful coach in River’s history. He has won 14 trophies in his 8 years at the helm of the club since 2014, adding 3 wins in the Copa Libertadores, before departing in October 2022 to take a break from training.
As a player, he won six league titles and one Copa Libertadores title with River.
Al Ittihad will face Auckland City on December 12 at the Club World Cup.