'You are lazy': Details of the spat between Benzema and Santo revealed

Al-Ittihad surprisingly became Saudi Arabia’s champion last season. Led by the former Tottenham boss Nuno Espritio Santo, the Saudi Pro-League club decided to defend the crown with a big investment – Karim Benzema. On paper, the coach (and any other coach) should have been all over the moon about this signing, but that didn’t happen with the Portuguese. From the very beginning, he and former Real Madrid player didn’t see eye to eye and it all resulted with Santo’s sacking. Everything could have been avoided if only Al-Ittihad continued with its last season form, but in fact, it has gone worse. The club sits in the sixth place and a loss against Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the AFC Champions League on Monday was the final straw.

Al-Ittihad sack their coach and Benzema is responsible?

It all started with a first report, back in August. According to local newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, sources from within the club claimed that the tension between Benzema and Espirito Santo was unbearable - and it was all because the former Real Madrid star "won't fit in in his coach's system of play". The paper even claimed that the Portuguese apparently never asked his owners to bring him the Frenchman. Then the reports vanished, but it doesn’t mean that the matter was resolved. On the contrary. According to the Spanish Relevo, Benzema did everything in his power to effect the dismissal of Espirito Santo, the coach who brought Al-Ittihad an unexpected title last season.

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And finally it happened, as the club sacked the Portuguese tactician, and soon, new details were revealed. According to Saudi Arabian outlet ‘Al Riyadiah’, the final argument happened at the half-time of the match against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, who was leading 1-0.

“You are a great player, but it seems that you are too lazy to put pressure on your rival” said Espirito Santo in the locker room to which Benzema replied “Don't just talk to me, talk to the whole group”.

Trouble continues at Saudi champions: Benzema is not good enough for Espirito Santo!

The Portuguese coach didn’t back down and explained it to the Frenchman.

“You are the leader of the team, the example for the players and the most important athlete. You must take the initiative and be an example for all the players”. Al Riyadiah continues to report that that the reprimand from Espirito Santo continued, while Benzema refuted the claim that he was 'lazy'.

The search for the new coach has begun, and so far, Laurent Blanc, former Lyon coach is being considered for the role. The pair already worked together when Blanc was France coach from 2010 to 2012, and during that time, Benzema was a regular player in his team.