KHAMIS MUSHAYT: Cosmin Contra has opened up about his departure from Al-Ittihad after missing out on the Saudi Pro League title in 2022, and how he always believed the club would become champions thanks to his efforts.
The much-travelled Romanian coach took over at Damac in March and is now preparing to face his old club on Thursday night in Jeddah.
Damac are currently eighth in the standings, while Al-Ittihad have risen to fourth in recent weeks under new coach Marcelo Gallardo.
Talking to Arab News, Contra revealed what motivates him while coaching a club not in the hunt for trophies and explained how local players have been inspired by playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. How are you experiencing the Saudi football revolution in charge of Damac, a club outside the main focus of the SPL right now? As a coach, you try to do your job as well as you can.