Explosions in the world of international football: Sérgio Conceição demands that Al Ittihad fully comply with the payment of the two years remaining on his contract, even after his departure from the Saudi club was announced as a “mutual agreement.” The tension between the Portuguese coach and the officials of the Jeddah club is expected to escalate into legal action, with millions of euros at stake and contract clauses being interpreted in radically opposing ways.
The case erupted this week when Saudi sources reported that Conceição, who had signed with Al Ittihad until 2028, refused to accept the severance pay stipulated for termination—around four months’ salary—and, along with agent Jorge Mendes, is demanding the full amount equivalent to the two remaining seasons on his contract. The club, for its part, maintains that, in addition to the termination clause, there is another clause that allows for the contract to be terminated without extra costs if the coach fails to place the team in the top three positions of the Saudi Pro League during the second and third seasons. Conceição left his coaching position on June 1, less than a year after taking on the role, amid disappointment with Al Ittihad’s sporting performance and in light of a “comprehensive review and assessment of the team’s trajectory,” as the club explained in a statement.
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The importance of this dispute goes far beyond a simple contractual disagreement. The Conceição case threatens to cast a shadow over the attractiveness of the Saudi Pro League for other top European coaches, at a time when the league continues to invest millions to establish itself on the international stage. For the Portuguese coach, this is a crucial battle to safeguard not only his rights but also his status, after leaving FC Porto to take on a challenge that ultimately turned out to be short-lived and contentious. Saudi clubs have been heavily investing in high-profile signings, but this impasse could herald new demands from coaches regarding contractual guarantees.
The departure of Conceição was officially announced by Al Ittihad on social media, with the club explaining: “The decision came after a comprehensive review and evaluation of the team’s performance and with the aim of aligning with the club’s goals and aspirations for the next phase.” However, Sérgio Conceição and his agent were quick to respond, basing their claims on a clause that, according to their interpretation, guarantees them the right to the full payment of the contract. The Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah detailed that the disagreement lies precisely in the interpretation of these clauses, with each side invoking different contractual elements to defend their respective interests.
The controversy is far from resolved. Sérgio Conceição, known for his combative temperament and straightforwardness in contractual relations, does not seem willing to back down. Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super agent, stated behind the scenes that “contracts are meant to be fulfilled” and that “the coach is simply demanding what is owed to him.” For Conceição, it is a matter of justice and professional respect: “I will not give up my rights. I came to Saudi Arabia with a clear project and defined expectations. If the club decided to change direction, it must face the consequences of that decision,” the coach confided to close associates.
In the coming days, the dispute is expected to escalate to international legal instances, with a direct impact not only on Conceição himself but also on the reputation of Saudi football. If the decision is favorable to the coach, it will set a precedent with the potential to shake contractual practices in the Middle East and influence future negotiations for European coaches. Conversely, a victory for Al Ittihad could strengthen the position of Saudi clubs and discourage similar claims. For now, Sérgio Conceição’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: this war is far from over and promises to generate a lot of ink during the international football off-season.
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