Marcelino in Al-Ahli’s Coaching Saga
Al-Ahli’s preseason has been hijacked by a single name. Marcelino.
The former Villarreal coach has suddenly become the central figure in a fast-developing saga, as the Saudi club races to find a successor to Matthias Jaissle with the new Roshn League campaign just days away.
Jaissle, according to multiple reports, submitted his resignation on Thursday, paving the way for a move to Newcastle United next season as the man earmarked to follow Eddie Howe. One departure, and a chain reaction followed.
Within hours, speculation erupted. Who steps into one of the most scrutinised dugouts in Saudi football?
Aouna vs Romano: The Battle of the Briefings
French journalist Santi Aouna lit the fuse on Saturday morning. He reported that Marcelino is close to taking over at Al-Ahli, having agreed to the offer recently placed on the table by the club. For many supporters, that sounded like the clarity they were desperate to hear.
Then came the twist.
Fabrizio Romano, the Italian transfer specialist whose word often shapes fan expectation across continents, pushed back. On X, he stated that neither Marcelino nor Xavi Hernandez are close to accepting the Al-Ahli role. No green light. No done deal.
The coaching hunt, it seemed, had turned into a public tug of war between two of Europe’s most followed transfer reporters.
Aouna did not back down. He returned with another update, this time in Arabic, doubling down on his stance: Marcelino, he insisted, has already agreed to coach “Al-Raqi” on a two-year contract. The remaining obstacle? Finalising the composition of his backroom staff.
So the picture is clear only in one respect: there is interest, there are talks, and there is disagreement in the media over just how advanced they are.
Clock Ticking Towards 13 August
Inside Jeddah, patience is thin. Al-Ahli’s fans are watching the calendar as closely as the news feed.
The club opens its Roshn League season on 13 August against Al-Diriyah in the first round. Less than two weeks to go, and no confirmed head coach in place. For a team with major ambitions and a demanding fanbase, drifting into a new campaign under a cloud of uncertainty is not an option.
The supporters want resolution. Quickly.
Whether the story bends towards Aouna’s version, with Marcelino walking into the technical area on a two-year deal, or follows Romano’s more cautious line, Al-Ahli cannot afford this stand-off to drag.
The next move belongs to the club. And it has to come before the first whistle of the season.
