Al-Shabab officially dismisses Al-Ghawasil, and Noureddine Ben Zakri is close to joining them
In a corrective move aimed at restructuring the first football team, Al-Shabab FC officially announced the termination of the contractual relationship with head coach Imanol Alguacil and his coaching staff, confirming the exclusive report by Okaz newspaper. The decision was reached by mutual agreement, bringing to a close the coach's tenure with the club. The club's management thanked the departing staff for their efforts during their time with the team and wished them success in their future endeavors.
In a swift response to the coaching vacuum, the club's management appointed national coach Abdullah Al-Mutairi and his assistant staff to temporarily take charge of the team. Al-Mutairi will lead the team in their crucial match today in the Gulf Champions League , a tournament on which Al-Shabab fans are pinning their hopes for a return to winning ways and a chance to compete for an international title that would enhance the club's regional standing.
Noureddine Ben Zakri... the awaited lifeline
In a related development, sources revealed that Al-Shabab's management is close to finalizing the appointment of their new head coach, with expectations pointing to Italian coach of Algerian descent, Noureddine Benzekri . Benzekri enjoys a strong reputation in Saudi football, where he is nicknamed "The Giant Killer" and "The Savior" due to his previous successes with clubs such as Damac, Al-Fayha, and Al-Raed. His tenures were characterized by a high fighting spirit and tight defensive organization, qualities that Al-Shabab needs at this crucial stage of the season.
An emotional encounter is expected against Damac
Ben Zekri is set to officially take over the reins of the team starting with the upcoming league match against his former club Damac , adding a special dimension and extra excitement to the encounter. These moves come as Al Shabab seeks to return to the forefront of the Saudi Professional League, capitalizing on Ben Zekri's extensive experience with Saudi football and his ability to positively impact player performance. The new coaching staff will also include performance analyst Santoni, part of the Italian support team, to ensure a comprehensive technical approach that meets the expectations of Al Shabab fans.
