Latest news with #SaudiPro-League
Telegraph
23-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Slaven Bilic: I left Saudi Arabia because I didn't get paid, but I'm a much better manager now
Slaven Bilic says he is 'a million times' a better manager for having worked in the Saudi Pro-League. Even if he quit for a reason that might come as something of a shock. 'I left because the club couldn't pay me,' Bilic says. 'I had done the pre-season and we had a great season last season. We finished seventh, just after the big clubs, and there was talk – talk of getting money, not getting money. We had done pre-season with just 14 players, half of them were kids from the academy. It was a bad situation.' Bilic was in charge of Al Fateh, which is not one of the big, well-resourced Saudi clubs where most of the huge influx of funding – led by the Public Investment Fund – is concentrated. There was no money, at that time, to invest in his team. 'Half the league was waiting and thinking 'How are we going to get the money?' I was meant to fly and they called me and said 'coach, we can't pay you. What are we going to do?' And then we made an agreement and that was it,' explains Bilic, who had a year left on his contract. He had done an exceptional job. Al Fateh were the best of the rest in the SPL, with its big stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and while his own experience ended surprisingly, he is certain the league will be a success and not least because the kingdom has a football culture and will host the World Cup in 2034. 'It's only the beginning and I think eventually they are going to sort it out,' he says. Money was not the biggest challenge, however. Instead, it was perception. 'Every manager who goes there, like with China a few years ago, the reaction is 'oh, he's finished!' When [Rafael] Benítez wanted to come back from China [where he was coaching Dalian to take over at Everton in 2021] they were saying 'can he do it? But he's not a player. What did he lose, his legs? He gained,' Bilic says. 'The only question is whether you are hungry or not. What people don't realise is that for me as a manager it was a bigger challenge to manage in Saudi Arabia than in Europe. 'Basically you are improving as a coach when you are there. I am a better coach, a million times, than before Saudi. Million times. Because of all the issues you have to deal with. It's ridiculous when they think you can't do it. It helps you. I am better. New culture, new problems, everything.' But the same hunger. The 56-year-old has not worked since leaving Saudi last August – and certainly no one can accuse him of going there for the money – and while he has enjoyed being back in Croatia for an extended period for the first time in 12 years, building a new house in his home town of Split, he misses something: the stress. Stress? 'You need stress. Because if you are living with stress or drive or pressure – not in a negative way – for 20 years then a stressless life becomes stress to you,' Bilic says. 'I love to work.'
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Al Nassr end attempts to sign Brighton's Mitoma
Al Nassr have ended their attempts to sign Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma after the Seagulls made it clear they have no intention of selling the Japan south coast club turned down a 65m euro (£54.42m) bid from the Saudi Pro-League side, but had expected a further in additional communication between the two clubs, Brighton underlined they had no need to sell the 27-year-old and would not be changing their stance, no matter what was also felt Mitoma had no interest in leaving the Amex Stadium. Consequently, Al Nassr now accept the deal will not Saudi Pro-League transfer window closes on Friday has made 92 appearances and scored 18 goals in all competitions since joining Brighton from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in winger is the only Brighton player to have featured in all 23 Premier League games so far this season, with Fabian Hurzeler's side currently ninth in the signed a contract extension in October 2023 that runs to June 2027.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brighton reject £54.4m Al-Nassr bid for Mitoma
Brighton have rejected a significant offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr for Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma. The bid was believed to be worth €65m (£54.42m) but sources with an understanding of the situation say Brighton have no need to sell and dismissed the offer out of hand. However, it is anticipated Al-Nassr will return with a higher bid. While Brighton are confident in their position and believe Mitoma has no desire to leave, the sums involved are bound to at least be considered seriously by the 27-year-old and it cannot be completely ruled out that a deal will go through. Mitoma signed a contract extension in October 2023 that runs to June 2027. He is one of the most popular players in Brighton's squad and club officials are acutely aware of the commercial impact he generates in Japan given they toured the country before the start of the current campaign. Mitoma joined Brighton from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021. He has made 92 appearances and scored 18 goals in all competitions and is the only Brighton player to have featured in all 23 Premier League games so far this season. Al-Nassr, whose players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte, are close to signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran for a reported £65m. The Saudi Pro-League transfer deadline is on Friday evening. Latest Brighton news, analysis and fan views Get Brighton news sent straight to your phone
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brighton reject £54.4m Al-Nassr bid for Mitoma
Brighton have rejected a significant offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr for Japan winger Kaoru bid was believed to be worth €65m (£54.42m) but sources with an understanding of the situation say Brighton have no need to sell and dismissed the offer out of it is anticipated Al-Nassr will return with a higher Brighton are confident in their position and believe Mitoma has no desire to leave, the sums involved are bound to at least be considered seriously by the 27-year-old and it cannot be completely ruled out that a deal will go signed a contract extension in October 2023 that runs to June is one of the most popular players in Brighton's squad and club officials are acutely aware of the commercial impact he generates in Japan given they toured the country before the start of the current joined Brighton from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021. He has made 92 appearances and scored 18 goals in all competitions and is the only Brighton player to have featured in all 23 Premier League games so far this whose players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte, are close to signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran for a reported £ Saudi Pro-League transfer deadline is on Friday evening.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roma have asked for ‘information' about Man United midfielder
Roma have asked for 'information' about Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, according to Sky Italy (via Sky Sports). They are doing 'due diligence on the Brazil midfielder in case they need to find a replacement for Leandro Paredes, who is a target for Boca Juniors'. Casemiro is also open to a move to Roma after falling down the pecking order under manager Ruben Amorim. He has started four games across all competitions under the Portuguese. His last start was in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United. Casemiro was substituted in the 65th minute as United were utterly dominated by Newcastle's midfield. Toby Collyer's emergence has also affected his playing time. Collyer has played more minutes than the Brazilian in the last three league games. Amorim has hinted that the veteran midfielder does not have the 'characteristics' to play under him, indicating that he would not stop him from leaving. Casemiro has been linked with Saudi Pro-League (SPL) club Al-Nassr, but a move is unlikely. The 32-year-old's departure to the SPL side is 'off the table'. Casemiro is Man United's biggest salary earner, earning £350 000 weekly. A permanent exit from Old Trafford will significantly reduce United's wage bill and allow the club to sign new players. However, the Brazil international will have to take a pay cut to make that happen. A loan deal could also significantly boost the Red Devils if they can persuade suitors to take on his salary. However, his poor form and huge wages are stumbling blocks to a winter move. Stats from & Article written by Henry Thornton .
