Al-Shabab FC officially announced in the past few hours the signing of veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri to take over as head coach of the first team. This decisive decision came after a series of meetings that resulted in the agreement to part ways with Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, due to the team's significant decline in recent results, which necessitated urgent intervention to get back on track.

The man for tough jobs in the Roshan League

Noureddine Benzekri enjoys an exceptional reputation in Saudi football, where he is nicknamed "The Man for Difficult Tasks" or "The Savior." Al-Shabab's decision to sign him is based on his extensive experience in dealing with the technical and psychological crises that teams face. This move is a serious attempt to replicate Benzekri's previous successes, as Al-Shabab fans are counting on him to revive the fighting spirit known as "Grinta," which the coach is famous for instilling in his players. This is something Al-Shabab desperately needs amidst the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League this season.

A proven track record of escaping the specter of relegation

The Algerian coach boasts a unique coaching record in the Saudi League, having successfully guided four different clubs to safety in the professional league despite the complex circumstances surrounding them. His epic rescue journey began in the 2018-2019 season when he took over Al- Fayha at a critical juncture, skillfully securing the team's place in the top flight.

The achievement did not stop there, as Ben Zekri returned to repeat the scenario in an even more exciting way with Damac in the following season 2019-2020. In that season, everyone was betting on Damac's relegation, but the Algerian coach turned the expectations around and succeeded in keeping the team away from the danger zone, continuing in the Professional League competition thanks to his positive results in the decisive rounds.

The success story continues with Al-Akhdoud and Al-Kholoud

The “savior” complex was reinforced for Ben Zekri when he returned to Saudi stadiums to save Al-Akhdoud in the 2023-2024 season. The task seemed almost impossible given the difference in capabilities and the difficulty of the competitors, but the tactical realism of the Algerian coach led the team to achieve the achievement of survival, which critics and analysts considered a turning point in the club’s history.

Last season, Ben Zekri continued his favorite pastime, successfully guiding Al- Kholoud to safety. He used his technical expertise to manage crucial matches, helping the club overcome its challenges before leaving at the end of the season, leaving an indelible mark. Today, Ben Zekri embarks on a new chapter and a different challenge with Al-Shabab, a prestigious club that aspires not only to survive but also to reclaim its former glory and rightful place among the elite of Saudi football.

The official signing of veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri by Al-Shabab FC to lead the first team has sparked widespread reactions in the sports community, especially as this appointment comes at a sensitive time for the club. Benzekri succeeds Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, whose contract was terminated due to poor results and performances that failed to meet the expectations of Al-Shabab fans.

Ben Zekri defends his history and rejects narrow categorization

In his first media statements, characterized by boldness and confidence, Noureddine Benzekri rejected the notion that his coaching career could be confined to the role of a "rescue coach" or "firefighter" called upon only when teams are threatened with relegation. Benzekri explained the details of the negotiations, saying, "The negotiations with Al-Shabab's management lasted a full month, and I rejected several offers from other Saudi clubs during that time. The reason is that I am not looking to repeat the experience of saving teams from relegation that has become associated with my name in the past.".

The Algerian coach added, explaining his point of view with evidence: “Whoever describes me as a rescue coach is very wrong about me and my technical work. My recent experience with Al-Kholoud Club, which lasted for eight months, is the best proof, as I proved my ability to build a strong team and compete with big and prestigious teams such as Al-Ettifaq, Al-Fateh, Al-Khaleej and Al-Fayha, and present real football.”.

Youth Project: The Lions Return to Competition

Ben Zekri is well aware that coaching Al Shabab is different from his previous experiences. Al Shabab is considered one of the four pillars of Saudi football throughout history, and it boasts a fan base that always demands trophies and championships. Regarding this challenge, he said: “Al Shabab is a great and historic club, and I returned to the Kingdom for a truly ambitious project. My main goal is to restore the Lions to their rightful place at the top of the standings and to deliver performances worthy of the history of this great club.”.

General context and challenges of the next phase

Ben Zekri's return to the Saudi League comes at a time when the competition is witnessing tremendous development and attracting international stars, making the task even more difficult and challenging. Al-Shabab are counting on Ben Zekri's extensive experience in Saudi football, having previously coached several clubs and left a clear mark thanks to his strong leadership and high level of tactical discipline. It is expected that Ben Zekri will focus in the coming period on restoring the players' morale after a period of poor results with Al-Ghawasil, in addition to implementing a playing style that suits the capabilities of the current squad to achieve the necessary balance.

Ben Zekri’s description of his mission as a “great project” indicates a long-term plan that is not limited to improving current results, but extends to building an artistic identity for the team that enables it to compete with clubs vying for local and continental titles, which is what the youth fans are eagerly awaiting.

European football stadiums experienced another stormy night with the theme of “racism”, as Brazilian star Vinicius Junior launched a scathing attack on those he described as “cowards”, after accusing Benfica player, Gianluca Brestiani, of directing racist insults at him during the match between Real Madrid and their Portuguese hosts in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 play-off.

Details of the incident and the match being stopped

The match, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid thanks to a goal by Vinicius himself, was interrupted for more than ten minutes, a first in UEFA's strict implementation of its anti-racism protocol. The incident began when Vinicius approached French referee François Letixsier, complaining that he had been subjected to a racist slur (mono – meaning monkey in Spanish) by Argentine player Prestiani, who had covered Vinicius's mouth with his shirt during the altercation.

Following the match, Vinicius erupted in anger on his Instagram account, saying: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show how weak they are.” He added, criticizing the leniency of the punishments: “But they enjoy the protection of others who are supposed to be responsible for imposing punishment,” emphasizing that what happened should never be tolerated.

A history of conflict with racism

This incident is not an isolated event in the Brazilian star's career, but rather the latest chapter in a long series of abuses he has suffered. The historical context of Vinicius's ordeal stretches back several seasons, most notably the infamous incident at the Mestalla stadium against Valencia in May 2023, which sparked widespread international condemnation. Furthermore, Spanish courts previously handed down suspended prison sentences to Atlético Madrid fans who hung an effigy of the player in an act classified as a hate crime. These accumulated experiences have made Vinicius a global icon in the fight against racism in sports, lending significant weight to his statements and reactions.

Reactions: Between denial and absolute support

In response, Gianluca Prestiani categorically denied the accusations, claiming that Vinicius had misunderstood what he heard. He stated on social media, "I have never been racist, and I apologize for the threats I have received." His club, Benfica, and his coach, José Mourinho, supported him. Mourinho criticized Vinicius's goal celebration in front of the opposing fans, deeming it provocative, and commented, "Something is wrong, because in every stadium Vinicius plays, something always happens.".

On the other side, Real Madrid players rallied behind their teammate. Trent Alexander-Arnold described the incident as "disgusting" and a disgrace to football. Kylian Mbappé called for strict measures, saying, "This player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League again." Captain Federico Valverde cleverly pointed to the gesture of covering the mouth, interpreting it as evidence of saying something shameful that cannot be uttered aloud.

Expected impact and future of sanctions

This incident is particularly significant given that it occurred in the world's biggest club competition, placing UEFA under immense pressure to take concrete action beyond financial penalties. The recurrence of such incidents threatens the image of European football and negatively impacts the mental health of players, potentially leading to stricter sporting regulations in the near future, including point deductions or exclusion from tournaments, to ensure a clean and hate-free sporting environment.