Argentine manager Marcelo Gallardo is wanted in Saudi Arabia at Al Ettifaq after being linked to the job at Rangers.
According to AS, the former River Plate manager is one of two options for the Saudi Pro League champions, who have just sacked Portuguese boss Nuno Espírito Santo.
Alongside Marcelo Gallardo, another name loosely linked to the Rangers gig in Spanish boss Julen Lopetegui is reportedly in the running to take over in Saudi.
Despite guiding the club to a first Saudi Pro League title in 14 years, a disappointing season to date and rumours of a bust up with star striker Karim Benzema have condemned former Wolves and Spurs boss Nuno to the managerial scrap heap.
It suggests that whoever comes into the gig at Al Ittihad has quite the job on his hands and as things stand either Marcelo Gallardo or Julen Lopetegui appear to be topping the list.
The next manager of Al Ittihad will boast one of the strongest squads in the cash-rich Saudi league, with the likes of ex-Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and ex-Liverpool icon Fabinho at the club.
Former Celtic winger Jota, who has only played seven games and scored once since the move to the Middle East, is also currently an Al Ittihad player.
Marcelo Gallardo lined up for Saudi switch
Whilst potentially Saudi-bound Argentine Marcelo Gallardo was mentioned in the running to become Rangers manager, the links never really had any sound basis.
The reports at the time were pretty circular and going by Gallardo’s gargantuan wage demands a move for the ex-River Plate manager was a total non-starter.
Instead Rangers moved to sign Belgian manager Philippe Clement who has been a breath of fresh air ever since coming into Ibrox.
Having won five and drawn one of his opening six games, the ex-Club Brugge and AS Monaco manager is building at Rangers and there is cautious optimism about the future.
The question now is where can the new Rangers boss improve?
