The transfer market in Saudi Arabia is buzzing around Karim Benzema, who wishes to see Christophe Galtier take charge at Al Ittihad. However, the situation remains complicated.
Al Ittihad, the club of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, is actively seeking a new manager following Nuno Espirito Santo’s mid-season departure and Marcelo Gallardo’s dismissal in early July due to a conflict with Benzema. Several names are being considered, but Christophe Galtier, former coach of Paris Saint-Germain and AS Saint-Étienne, currently at Al-Duhail in Qatar, seems to be the frontrunner, as reported by L’Équipe. Benzema, whose opinion carries weight with the club’s management, strongly supports Galtier’s candidacy.
Karim Benzema and Christophe Galtier share a history at Olympique Lyonnais, where Galtier was assistant to Alain Perrin, maintaining a good relationship since. To persuade Galtier to join Al Ittihad, the Saudis have offered an impressive deal: three million euros net per month for three years, totaling 36 million euros. Additionally, Al Ittihad is willing to buy out Galtier’s remaining contract year in Qatar.
Despite this tempting proposal, obstacles remain. Al-Duhail’s president currently refuses to release Galtier, especially with preseason underway. Galtier, appreciative of the welcome he has received in Qatar during a challenging media period in France, is reluctant to push for his departure. Moreover, a transfer could reignite tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, rival but interdependent countries.
Currently, the situation is at an impasse. Galtier needs to convince his president to let him go for this transfer to materialize.
Benzema wants Galtier as coach: L’Équipe revelations
L’Équipe revealed last December serious accusations against Christophe Galtier by some players and staff members of OGC Nice. Jean-Clair Todibo claims he was pressured to break his Ramadan fast. Galtier, who will face trial on December 15 for moral harassment and discrimination, denies these allegations completely.
Christophe Galtier, despite his move to Qatar, faces serious accusations in France. He coached OGC Nice during the 2021-2022 season and is accused of racist and discriminatory remarks. According to L’Équipe, several players and staff members of Nice have testified against him. His lawyers state that he is awaiting the trial to prove his innocence.
Behind these accusations, Julien Fournier, former director of OGC Nice, alleges that Galtier regretted the presence of many “Blacks and Muslims” in the team. Frédéric Gioria, former assistant to Galtier, also testified, reporting that Galtier allegedly said, “Another Muslim, I don’t want him, we have enough,” after Bilal Brahimi arrived in January 2022. He also reportedly called Youcef Atal and Hicham Boudaoui “dirty guys,” adding, “The worst are Algerians.”
The Ramadan period reportedly exacerbated tensions between Galtier and some players. In March 2022, he allegedly made a list of Muslim players he wanted to see leave, including Atal, Boudaoui, and Todibo. Fournier reported that Galtier said, “Julien, you still haven’t understood. I don’t want Blacks or Arabs anymore.”
Jean-Clair Todibo, a Nice defender, told investigators that he was called “Salafist” and “extremist” by Galtier, according to third-party reports. Galtier’s lawyers, cited by L’Équipe, emphasize that their client is determined to prove his innocence and that his professional career attests to his integrity.
Leave a Reply