Al-Ettifaq has officially announced the appointment of Australian coach Arthur Papas to lead the first team as they prepare for the upcoming season. The contract was signed at the club's headquarters in Dammam, with the new coach and Vice Chairman Omar Bakshwain present, marking the start of a new technical phase. Papas succeeds Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri, who managed the team during the last season in the Roshan Saudi League. This is not Papas's first experience with Al-Ettifaq, as he previously served as an assistant coach during the 2016-2017 season. The club's management is counting on Papas's experience and previous knowledge of the Saudi environment to build a more balanced and stable team. His appointment comes after his recent stint with Cerezo Osaka in Japan, where he showcased impressive performance since January 2025. Papas managed 66 matches with the Japanese team, achieving 32 wins, 11 draws, and 23 losses, scoring 141 goals and conceding 113. Al-Ettifaq finished last season in the Roshan Saudi League in seventh place with 50 points, with hopes of improving results in the new season under Papas's leadership.