JEDDAH, 16 April 2008 — Al-Ittihad’s Brazilian coach Esteban Suarez has been sacked and replaced on an interim basis by the club’s legendary striker Hamza Idrees.
Ittihad club management gave Suarez his walking papers yesterday. Under Suarez Ittihad blew their chance to avert a winless season when they lost the final match of the Saudi Premier league against Al-Hilal on Sunday.
The 1-0 defeat at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium was the final straw that convinced Ittihad management to terminate the contract of Suarez.
Idrees takes over at the helm until a suitable replacement for Suarez becomes available, according to club president Jamal Abu Omarah.
The league leaders with 48 points entering the all-important match, Ittihad had two options to win the title — win or draw — but neither materialized to hand Hilal the league crown.
Idrees is to lead Ittihad for the match against Al-Ittifaq in the King’s Cup for Champions, which is scheduled to take place on Friday in Dammam.
Suarez was widely criticized by Ittihad supporters especially after Ittihad lost 2-1 against Sepahan of Iran in the AFC Champions League. Ittihad also had a forgettable performance in the Crown Prince Cup and Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup competitions.
Meantime, the playdates for the King’s Cup for Champions have been finalized. Hilal host Wehda in the first leg match on Friday in Riyadh.
Ittifaq entertain Ittihad on the same day at prince Muhammad ibn Fahd stadium in Dammam.
On April 19, Nasr welcome Al-Hazem in Riyadh and Al-Ahli play host to Al-Shabab in the first leg match in Jeddah.
The quarterfinal second leg match on April 24 pits Wehda against Hilal in Makkah, on April 25 Al-Hazem host Nasr in Al-Rass, and on April 27 Ittihad receive Ittifaq at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah and Shabab welcome Ahli in Riyadh.
