Marcelino Close to Becoming Al-Ahli’s New Head Coach

Al-Ahli’s coaching bench has turned into the most-watched stage in Saudi football, and Marcelino is standing right in the spotlight.

The former Villarreal boss has surged to the front of the queue to take over the Jeddah club next season, with current coach Matthias Jaissle on his way out. According to press reports, the German has submitted his resignation to step into the Premier League and take charge of Newcastle United as Eddie Howe’s successor.

One departure, and suddenly the market roared into life.

As soon as Jaissle’s exit surfaced, transfer specialists across Europe began firing out names. Who would be trusted to guide one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious projects just days before the new campaign?

On Saturday morning, French journalist Santi Aouna dropped the first major twist. He reported that Marcelino is close to becoming Al-Ahli’s new head coach after accepting an offer from the club. The suggestion was clear: the deal is advanced, the path is open.

Then came the counterpunch.

Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano moved to cool the story, stating on X that neither Marcelino nor Xavi Hernandez are close to taking the Al-Ahli job. No agreement, no imminent appointment, according to his version of events.

The coaching chase turned into a public back-and-forth.

Aouna responded with a new update, this time in Arabic. He doubled down, insisting Marcelino has already agreed to take over “Al-Raqi” on a two-year contract. The remaining hurdle, he claimed, lies in assembling and finalising the Spaniard’s backroom staff.

While journalists trade blows online, Al-Ahli’s supporters have no time for semantics. They want clarity. They want a coach on the training pitch, not in a headline.

The urgency is real. The Roshn League season starts in less than two weeks. On 13 August, Al-Ahli face Al-Diriyah in the first round. For a club with serious ambitions and a fanbase that demands momentum from day one, every day without a confirmed manager feels like a risk.

The clock is ticking in Jeddah. Whether it ends with Marcelino on the touchline or another name altogether, Al-Ahli cannot afford to let this saga drag into the new season.