Al-Ahli appoint Marino Pusic as head coach after Jaissle's move to Newcastle
Riyadh, August 6
AFC Champions League Elite holders Al-Ahli Saudi FC have appointed Marino Pusic as their new head coach, replacing Matthias Jaissle, who left the club to take charge of English Premier League side Newcastle United.
The Saudi Pro League club confirmed the appointment on Thursday, with Pusic signing a contract that will keep him at Al-Ahli until 2028, according to Reuters.
"Al-Ahli Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Marino Pusic as the new Head Coach of the First Team," the Saudi club said on its website.
Pusic arrives after a season in charge of UAE Pro League outfit Al Jazira, where he was appointed in September 2025 before leaving at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. Prior to that, the 54-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, guiding them to a league and cup double in the 2023-24 season before retaining the Ukrainian Cup the following year.
During his time at Shakhtar, Pusic oversaw 71 competitive matches, winning 44 and collecting three domestic trophies. He also played a key role as assistant to current Liverpool manager Arne Slot during Feyenoord's Eredivisie-winning campaign in 2022-23 and earlier helped FC Twente earn promotion to the Dutch top flight in 2019.
Pusic's appointment comes after Jaissle ended a highly successful tenure with Al-Ahli to become Newcastle United's new manager following Eddie Howe's departure.
The German coach guided Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles, becoming the first head coach to achieve the feat, while also establishing the club among the leading forces in Asian football.
Pusic will now take charge of the reigning continental champions as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign, with the Saudi Pro League season set to begin on August 13.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Jaissle to Newcastle is a big step up for him. But for Al-Ahli, it's a risky change. Pusic did well in Ukraine but the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League are different challenges. The season starts on August 13, so he'll have barely any time to prepare. Hope he gets the support he needs.
As someone who follows Asian football closely, I think this is a decent appointment. Pusic has a solid tactical mind, especially after working with Arne Slot at Feyenoord. But these European coaches need time to adapt to the pace and physicality of Asian football. Let's not judge too quickly.
Pusic's record at Shakhtar is impressive—44 wins in 71 games! But that was in Ukraine. The Saudi league has big names like Ronaldo, Benzema, and Neymar. It's a different beast altogether. I just hope he doesn't crumble under the pressure of replacing a champion like Jaissle.
Jaissle leaving for Newcastle feels like a step down in terms of continental success, but the Premier League is the Premier League. For Al-Ahli, this is a test of their project. They've built a strong squad, so Pusic has no excuses. The AFC Champions League Elite will be tough to defend.
Nice to see Indian fans following Saudi football! This is a big test for Pusic. He had a good run with Al Jazira and Shakhtar, but the pressure in Jeddah will be intense. Al-Ahli fans expect nothing less than
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.