Perhaps lost a little amid the hype of Ange Postecoglou’s appointment at Al Nassr was the news that a second Australian coach had also made the move to the Roshn Saudi League.
Like Postecoglou, he has worked in Japan and was just recently named the Coach of the Season for the J.League’s 100 Year Vision League; the short transition season held between February and May as the competition changes its domestic calendar to an Autumn-Spring timeline.
In fact, this manager was Postecoglou’s right-hand man when the former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur manager sealed the J.League title in 2019 with Yokohama F.Marinos. Understandably, he is a disciple of Postecoglou’s attacking style of play.
Australian Arthus Papas signs as Al Ettifaq's new manager
The coach in question's name is Arthur Papas, who was installed earlier this month as manager at Al Ettifaq.
Papas’ name might not have the same cache or weight as Postecoglou’s right now; successful stints in Scotland and England would do that.
However, Papas arrives as his career is beginning to flourish after many years working around Asia, from Japan to Australia to Thailand, and most recently back to Japan. In fact, this is something of a return also for Papas, who was employed by Al Ettifaq almost a decade ago.
New Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou is already getting to grips with his squad
“I am thrilled to be back,” Papas said upon his appointment having replaced in the dugout hugely respected Saudi Saad Al Shehri. “This club has held a special place in my heart since I first joined as an assistant coach in 2017.
“Since then, my career has continued to progress, but I always felt there was unfinished business here.
“Al Ettifaq is a historic club with a rich heritage and great potential, and the goal now is to take the next step forward together with our fans, and work towards winning a championship.
Highly respected Saudi Arabian coach Saad Al Shehri leaves Al Ettifaq after two strong seasons
“I look forward to working alongside the players, the coaching staff and the entire Al Ettifaq family, to write a new and successful chapter for this historic club.
“Together, we will do everything we can to achieve our goals. Thank you for your trust. Let’s work to restore our glory.”
For sure, it constitutes a considerable challenge for Papas, who must do so without Al Ettifaq’s star man of the past few seasons, Georginio Wijnaldum. The former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, the club captain, departed at the end of last season after three full campaigns and 36 goals.
Georginio Wijnaldum said farewell to Al Ettifaq after a career-best RSL campaign
Without doubt, Wijnaldum leaves a sizeable hole to fill, but it’s not a test that should prove daunting for Papas. Intriguingly, it's one he has encountered throughout his career – and again at Cerezo Osaka.
Cerezo are not among Japan's most prominent clubs, and in the eyes of most observers, would indeed be considered the second team in Osaka behind their more famous, and credentialled neighbours, Gamba Osaka.
Fans of Saudi football will know the latter well after they came to the Kingdom in May to defeat Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two Final.
Arthus Papas has been tasked with improving Al Ettifaq's RSL standing
Cerezo, meanwhile, have never won the J.League, with a third-placed finish in 2017 their highest of the past decade. In many ways, Cerezo are similar to Al Ettifaq, who have performed brilliantly to come home seventh in the past two RSL seasons.
Papas, 46, then guided Cerezo to third in the 100 Year Vision League that concluded at the beginning of last month – their highest finish in a decade and enough to earn Coach of the Season honours for the West Division.
It’s a sign of Papas' growing reputation in the region, and certainly part of the reason Al Ettifaq pounced to bring him back to the club as they look to achieve success through different means to mostly spending vast amounts on marquee transfers.
Arthus Papas is currently overseeing Al Ettifaq pre-season preps in Spain
That is how Papas has operated wherever he's been; he seeks to work within existing structures to develop and produce players capable of delivering on his style of play. And, when it works as it did at Cerezo, it’s not only a sight to behold, but a powerful weapon, too.
Neatly, for the first time since their paths parted after their days at Yokohama F.Marinos, Papas will now coach against his former mentor in Postecoglou, who has succeeded title-winning manager Jorge Jesus at the RSL champions.
Most definitely, Al Ettifaq versus Al Nassr will be one of the fixtures to watch this season as the apprentice attempts to topple his master.
