When football calls you to take on a challenge that pushes you to the limit, it’s impossible to say no.
On 19 April, I accepted the challenge of joining Al Khaleej. The situation was simple but extremely demanding: we had one month ahead of us and a single, unquestionable objective – to keep the team in the Saudi Arabian top flight.
It has been weeks of brutal intensity, of hard work every day, of quickly bonding with the players and giving our all in every match. On 21 May, after the final whistle, we were able to celebrate that the objective had been achieved. We stayed in the top flight. The satisfaction of seeing our efforts rewarded and the joy of the whole club is, without a doubt, the best thing I take away from this experience.
After securing our place in the division, the club offered me the chance to stay on for another year. I’m proud that they value my work in this way, but after thinking it through carefully, I’ve decided not to accept the renewal. I believe that was my mission there: a month of total dedication to secure our survival, and now it’s time to look for new projects that motivate me in the same way.
I leave grateful for the treatment and respect I received, and proud to have put the club where it deserves to be. This is what football is all about: passion, immediate commitment and challenges that put you to the test.
Thank you to everyone who was part of this intense month!