New Ahli head coach Pusic has big shoes to fill at reigning Asian champions

LONDON: It has been a whirlwind week for Al-Ahli, with the announcement of Matthias Jaissle’s departure followed today by the confirmation of Marino Pusic as new head coach.

The Dutch-Bosnian manager has some big shoes to fill in Jeddah. Just three months after lifting a second successive AFC Champions League trophy and with eyes set on the new season and a challenge for the Saudi Pro League title on the cards, there has been an enforced change. The idea is, however, evolution rather than revolution.

Nobody would argue that Pusic is a big name coach, certainly compared to some of the figures who had been linked with the job by the Red Sea. At 54, he is 16 years older than his predecessor but has yet to take charge of an elite European club.

Marino Pušić, #AlAhli Head Coach until 2028 pic.twitter.com/dXstzbtHzv

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) August 6, 2026

His experience is varied however. He led Dutch club Twente to promotion to the top tier in 2019, finishing first by a margin of 10 points. He then moved to AZ Alkmaar to work with head coach Arne Slot — the former Liverpool boss was linked to the Ahli job — and then moved with him to Feyenoord. His next position as number one was in 2023 with Shakhtar Donetsk when he was soon leading the club to the Ukrainian title. His latest job was with Al-Jazira in the UAE, where he led the Abu Dhabi club into fourth and back into the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time since 2022. A little bit of time in the region must have helped persuade the bosses at Al-Ahli.

Despite that record, it is not the kind of CV that will excite the Green Army but those bosses will say there is more to it than just the past jobs. The hope is that Pusic’s philosophy and the style