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Saudi Arabia just pulled another power move in global football. Al-Ittihad, one of the kingdom’s most storied clubs, has signed German coach Jens Wissing on a deal running through 2028, plucking him from Gamba Osaka just weeks after he delivered the Japanese club its first major Asian trophy in 18 years.
Wissing led Gamba Osaka to a 1-0 victory over Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two final on May 16, 2026. Deniz Hummet scored the only goal. And now the man who beat a Saudi club in a continental final is headed to Jeddah to coach one.
From Osaka to Jeddah in six months
Wissing was appointed Gamba Osaka’s manager on January 1, 2026. That was his first top-flight head coaching gig. Six months later, he’d won an international tournament and landed one of the most high-profile jobs in Middle Eastern football.
He replaces Sergio Conceicao at Al-Ittihad. Wissing’s appointment was made official in early July 2026. His contract runs until 2028.
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