Jota post Celtic hope as Nuno Espirito Santo sacked and Al-Ittihad fans all say the same thing

Al-Ittihad fans are hopeful that Nuno Santo’s sacking can give Jota a new lease of life.

The Saudi Pro League side dispensed with their manager yesterday after a five-game winless streak which included a disappointing Asian Champions League defeat to Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. League defeat to Al-Shabab was said to have pushed club chiefs over the edge and they confirmed his departure yesterday.

That could be good news for the former Celtic winger after he was frozen out under his fellow Portuguese and not registered in the squad for league duty. With a certain foreign player limit needed to be abided to, the 24-year-old was not included in the list and that has meant he has only been able to play in ACL games along with friendlies

Assistant Khalifa has taken over in the interim and any new boss would have the chance to register Jota in JanHa ssan uary if he so wished.

And some of the Jeddh aside’s fans would certainly like that to happen. Al-Ittihad posted a photo of Jota along with Ahmed Hegazi who has also been welcomed back into the fold after Nuno had wanted to terminate his contract.

One supporter said: “If Jota and Al-Aboud were present, they would have separated with us. May God not forgive whoever was the reason.