Frenchman Laurent Blanc, former coach of teams like Girondins de Bordeaux, PSG, Lyon, and the French national team, is the new manager of Al Ittihad, where his compatriot Karim Benzema plays, the Saudi club announced.

Al Ittihad is hoping that the 58-year-old coach from Alès can achieve the desired results that eluded them with previous managers like Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo and Argentine Marcelo Gallardo.

Benzema, the club’s big draw, reunites with Blanc, with whom he played 22 matches for the French national team. They had the chance to meet again during Blanc's presentation to the squad, which also includes another French international, N'Golo Kante, and Brazilian Fabinho.