There are six Portuguese coaches in the Saudi Arabian league who manage the first division teams. But recently a different name has been proposed for the club in Saudi Arabia.
The local press linked Fernando Santos to al-Shabab. The Portuguese has been leading the Polish national team since January, and for the replacement to take place, the Saudis had to pay Poland.
The Polish Federation was quick to respond to the rumors and ensure the succession of the Portuguese.
“The coach is on vacation. He was in Poland to watch the Super Bowl and showed no sign of any change in plans.
If Fernando Santos is confirmed in the emblem of Saudi Arabia, he will become the seventh Portuguese coaching a team in the Middle Eastern country.
Luis Castro (Al-Nasr), Jorge Jesus (Al-Hilal), Nuno Espirito Santo (Al-Ittihad), Pedro Emanuel (Al-Khaliq), Filipe Gouveia (Al-Hazm) and Jorge Mendonsa (Al-Ahdud) are six Portuguese who are already in Saudi Arabia.
This Monday newspaper write down reports that Marco Silva, Fulham’s Portuguese manager, turned down Al Ahly’s second offer. The Saudi club offered the 46-year-old coach 46 million euros per season.
The Portuguese are the majority in Saudi Arabia. After Portugal, the country with the most coaches in the top football division is Croatia with four coaches.