Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Laurent Blanc has been named the 2024–25 Roshn Saudi League Coach of the Season after guiding Al Ittihad to a dominant title win, capping off a successful debut campaign in Saudi football.

The former France and Paris Saint-Germain manager led Al Ittihad to 83 points, finishing eight clear of their nearest challengers.

Under his leadership, the team combined tactical discipline with consistent attacking output, securing the club’s second league title in three years — and its 10th overall.

Blanc’s appointment last summer came with high expectations, but the Frenchman faced early-season pressure amid fan demands for immediate results.

He responded by rebuilding the squad’s structure, establishing a cohesive system that turned the Tigers into the most balanced and effective team in the league.

Al Ittihad clinched the title with several games to spare, highlighting Blanc’s impact and the team’s steady rise under his watch. The club’s consistent performances and resilience under pressure were hallmarks of their title-winning campaign.

The Saudi Pro League celebrated Blanc’s achievement on Tuesday, calling him the "mastermind" of Al Ittihad's championship run and sharing a photo of the coach during the title celebrations.

This marks a new personal milestone for Blanc, who now joins the ranks of managers to have won the league in their first season — following in the footsteps of Nuno Espírito Santo, who also claimed the title with Ittihad in the 2022–23 season.