Jota’s move from Celtic takes yet another unsavoury turn with managerial change

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated 5/13/24

Jota’s move to Saudi Arabia has taken yet another unsavoury turn after it was reported that Argentine manager Marcelo Gallardo will part ways with Al Ittihad. The superstar from Portugal departed in a deal worth £25m last summer but has endured a torrid time, which doesn’t seem to be improving.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Al Ittihad will make yet another managerial change with Gallardo set to leave the Jeddah club meaning that he will have to impress a third boss in under a year.

It’s over between Marcelo Gallardo and Al Ittihad.

The Argentinian manager is set to part ways with the Saudi club.

The only detail being clarified is about leaving now or at the end of the season, but Gallardo will part company with Al Ittihad. pic.twitter.com/XPjqd0snXJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 13, 2024

Jota has made just 22 appearances in all competitions in Saudi, scoring four goals and assisting once. The form and adulation in the Saudi Pro League is a far cry from his time at Celtic, where he produced extraordinary moments in the Hoops. It was hoped that he would kick on under Brendan Rodgers after making 83 appearances for Ange. In those game, he scored 28 goals and assisted on 26 occasions, which resulted in links to a number of clubs.

Unfortunately, for Jota, the move has not panned out as he would have hoped after being omitted from the club’s squad list for the season before being reintegrated under Gallardo. Now, a new manager will come in and likely look to bring a new crop of players from Europe across. This could pave the way for Celtic to revisit a deal to rescue Jota from his Saudi nightmare and bring him back to Paradise.

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

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