Soares was sacked immediately after the team failed to secure a second straight title on the final day of the season, following their 1-0 home defeat to Hilal.

Calderon, who has been recently sacked by Oman, will start his spell with Ittihad against Sepahan of Iran next week.

The Argentine tactician led Saudi Arabia to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, but was fired before the tournament and replaced by Marcos Paqueta.