Pusic Lands The Al-Ahli Job
Al-Ahli have moved fast. The Saudi Pro League giants confirmed Marino Pusic as their new head coach on Thursday, ending speculation over who would replace Matthias Jaissle. The German departed for Newcastle United after guiding Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles, a genuinely rare feat. Filling that void was never going to be simple.
Pusic, though, arrives with credentials that suggest the club knows exactly what it wants. The 54-year-old Dutch-Croatian tactician has signed a deal keeping him at the club until 2028. Essentially, a two-year commitment built around continuity rather than a quick fix.
His path here wasn’t conventional. Most reports had linked Al-Ahli with more prominent European names before the switch, catching plenty of observers off guard. Yet the appointment carries substance beneath the surprise. Pusic spent last season with UAE side Al Jazira, his first taste of Gulf football, and before that delivered serious silverware at Shakhtar Donetsk. There, he claimed the Ukrainian Premier League title in 2024 and lifted the domestic cup twice. Notably, his side also stunned Barcelona during a Champions League group-stage clash, a result that still gets mentioned.
Furthermore, Pusic’s coaching roots trace back through Dutch football. He worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, helping the club win the Eredivisie in 2023, and previously led FC Twente to promotion in 2019. That blend of tactical education and continental pedigree gives Al-Ahli a coach who has won consistently across different leagues.
Big Shoes, Bigger Expectations
Replacing a champion is never straightforward. Jaissle didn’t just win trophies; he built a template. Al-Ahli now expect Pusic to sustain it, not simply manage it.
The timing adds pressure immediately. Saudi Pro League action begins August 13, leaving little room for a gradual settling-in period. As holders of the AFC Champions League Elite crown, Al-Ahli also enter continental competition as clear targets. Every rival will fancy knocking them down a peg.
Still, Pusic has handled expectation before. Winning in Ukraine under wartime disruption, according to Reuters, demanded resilience few coaches ever face. That experience could prove valuable in Riyadh’s high-stakes environment. Fans searching for how this appointment might shape the Saudi title race can find continued coverage on KCPredict throughout the new season.