Ex-Milan coach close to working with club of Benzema and Kante

After his sacked from AC Milan, Italian manager Stefano Pioli won't remain unemployed for long.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Pioli is the leading candidate for the vacant head coach position at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad. Negotiations between Pioli and the club's owners are at an advanced stage.

Pioli will replace Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in this role.

Al-Ittihad had a disappointing season, finishing fifth in the Pro League.

Notably, Al-Ittihad features players such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Fabinho.

Pioli managed AC Milan from October 2019 until the end of the last season. Under Pioli, Milan won the Italian championship in 2022 and reached the semifinals of the Champions League in the 2022/23 season.