A new Al-Ittihad start is beckoning for Jota with the Portuguese set to get a new manager.
The Celtic favourite saw his £25million move to Saudi Arabia turn sour when previous boss Nuno Espirito Santo left him out of the Saudi Pro League squad in favour other foreign imports, of which the club are only allowed to register a certain number for league games. That left Jota facing months on the sidelines and exploring his options of an escape.
He made a return to action in last month's Asian Champions League win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawia, and played so well that fans booed his substitution. Compatriot and ex-Tottenham head coach Nuno was sacked earlier this week with Al-Ittihad fifth in the league table. And now they are on the verge of appointing another former English Premier League manager in a bid to get their title challenge and Champions league campaign back on track.
They are reportedly in '"advanced" talks with Julen Lopetegui. The Spaniard sensationally left Wolves just days before the start of the current English top flight season despite keeping them up last year. He was replaced by Gary O'Neil.
Lopetegui is no stranger to abrupt departures immediately prior to competitions. He was removed as Spain boss shortly on the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. News had leaked that Lopetegui had agreed to take charge of Real Madrid.
He hadn't informed the Spanish FA, who took decisive action despite the team already being in Krasnodar ahead of the tournament. Lopetegui was sacked and replaced by techincal director and Real and Spain legend, Fernando Hierro.
