GALL BLIMEY
Saudi Pro League manager who fell out with Benzema ‘set to get record £25MILLION payoff after just seven months’
A Saudi Arabian club is set to pay the most expensive severance package in football history
MARCELO GALLARDO is set to receive the most expensive severance package in football history after just seven months as Al-Ittihad manager.
Gallardo, 48, took over at the Saudi Arabian club's dugout only last November when he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo, who then moved to Nottingham Forest.
2
2
SUNSPORT'S TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Brighton successfully granted work permit for 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler to become the club's new head coach, according to reports.
Manchester City are ready to make Phil Foden the highest-paid British player in history when he returns from the Euros.
Julian Alvarez could leave City this summer, with multiple clubs in the running for his signature.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.
However, the Argentinean tactician failed to steady the ship while in charge of the then Saudi champions, who finished fifth in the table.
The ex-River Plate manager lost 14 out of all of his 33 matches, of which he won 15.
That is despite having star players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jota in his squad.
Al-Ittihad only scored 56 goals and conceded a whopping 59 under his watch.
Read More on Football
The former Paris Saint-Germain star also fell out with Benzema, whom he ordered to train alone after returning late from a holiday.
According to local publication Ariyadhiah, Gallardo is now set to receive a staggering €30MILLION (£25m) payoff from Al-Ittihad.
The Argentine is pushing for that sum, which is stipulated in his contract that runs until 2025.
Al-Ittihad chiefs have tried to reach an agreement to terminate the Monaco hero's contract but he won't waive any compensation.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
The Saudis are already searching for Gallardo's replacement ahead of next season.
And sporting director Ramon Planes is working "against the clock" trying to find the next head coach.
Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top five
Al-Ittihad's turbulent campaign saw them finishing 42 points behind champions Al-Hilal.
Who are these famous footballers?
- I was West Ham captain but I almost went to jail over bankruptcy
- I'm a former Man Utd star and I once stole a girl from Ronaldo
- I'm an ex-Man Utd star - now I own a dog-themed B&B
- I was Thierry Henry's toughest opponent but quit to become a pastor
- I’m a former Wolves striker but I left football behind to become a vicar
Topics