JEDDAH, July 14: Al-Ittihad Saudi Club has appointed French coach Laurent Blanc to lead the first team, succeeding Argentine Marcelo Gallardo. The Jeddah Football Association welcomed the 58-year-old coach and shared photos of his arrival at the team’s camp in Spain on their social media accounts, as they prepare for the new season.

This marks Blanc's sixth coaching stint and his second in the Arab world, following his tenure with Al Rayyan in Qatar. He has also coached Bordeaux, Lyon, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as serving as the head coach of the French national team.

The club announced a friendly match against the Spanish team Elche on July 20 during their Spanish training camp in preparation for the new season. The team began their external camp in Spain on Friday and will hold another camp in Portugal from July 27 to August 3.

Blanc has an impressive record as a coach, with 15 titles from 446 matches, including 273 wins, 82 draws, and 91 defeats.