Portuguese Domingos Soares de Oliveira, CEO of Al-Ittihad, confirmed that the team's preparations for the 2026-2027 sports season did not begin with the start of the summer camp, but rather immediately after the end of last season, as part of a comprehensive plan to return the team to competition and fulfill the aspirations of the club's fans.

De Oliveira explained, via Al-Ittihad's official account, that the club's management conducted a thorough review of what happened during the 2025-2026 season, after results he described as not meeting the club's ambitions nor its history and legacy.

He pointed out that the management worked on analyzing the reasons that led to the decline in results, before reassessing the organizational structure and addressing a number of files related to individuals and the workflow within the club.

Restructuring to Enhance Chances of Success

The CEO added that the club spent the past two months building a new administrative organization, along with attracting new elements, stressing that these steps will enhance Al-Ittihad's ability to compete and deliver better results next season.

He indicated that the current indicators within the preparatory camp appear positive, both in terms of players and the administrative and technical staff, reflecting the quality of work underway in preparation for the season's start.

Praise for Coach Yinz Fisinj

De Oliveira praised the choice of coach Yinz Fisinj to lead the team, affirming that signing him represents one of the most important elements of the new sports project.

He said that Fisinj is a young coach with talent and ambition, and has a strong desire to achieve success with Al-Ittihad, noting that the technical staff includes a mix of Saudi competencies and coaches from different football schools, which enriches the technical work.

The CEO revealed that the team still has three weeks before playing its first official match against Al Jazira of the UAE, noting that Al-Ittihad will play four friendly matches during the preparatory camp.

He explained that these matches represent an important opportunity for the players to absorb the coach's ideas and apply his technical philosophy before the start of official competitions.

De Oliveira concluded his statements with a message to Al-Ittihad fans, affirming that all club workers, from management, technical staff, and players, are committed to preserving the club's identity and working with passion and professionalism.

He added: "We will continue to work hard, and we will remain faithful to our identity, and together we can achieve the results we all aspire to, and together we will succeed."