Jens Wissing has become the youngest head coach in the Roshn Saudi League after Matthias Jaissle’s departure from Al-Ahli, just days before the start of the new season.
Jaissle’s exit was officially confirmed by Al-Ahli last Wednesday after the German coach’s release clause was paid. He has since taken charge of Newcastle United, succeeding former manager Eddie Howe.
The departure also changed the age rankings among the league’s managers. According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Wissing, who is in charge of Al-Ittihad, is now the youngest head coach in the Roshn Saudi League ahead of the new campaign.
Both Wissing and Jaissle are 38 years old, but Wissing is three months older than his fellow German. That had previously placed him second in the league’s youngest-manager list, behind Jaissle. With Jaissle no longer in the competition, Wissing has moved into first place.
Wissing is also the only manager in the Roshn Saudi League who is yet to reach the age of 40. The next youngest coach is Englishman Des Buckingham, who leads Al-Khoolood and is 41.
At the other end of the scale, Ange Postecoglou, the Australian head coach of Al-Nassr, is 60 years old and ranks as the league’s second-oldest manager.
The oldest coach is Croatian Damir Buric, who manages Abha and is 62. That leaves a two-year difference between Buric and Postecoglou in the seniority rankings.
The age distinction comes before the Roshn Saudi League’s opening round, which begins next Thursday with Abha facing Al-Hazem.
Al-Ahli will then play Al-Fateh on the same day, while Al-Shabab will meet Al-Qadsiah. Those fixtures will mark the beginning of a new season in which the managerial landscape has already changed before a ball has been kicked.
Jaissle’s departure has therefore had an impact beyond Al-Ahli’s dugout. His move to Newcastle United has altered the league’s list of youngest coaches, allowing Wissing to claim the top position before leading Al-Ittihad into the new campaign.
The German’s promotion to the head of that ranking is a statistical distinction rather than a change in his position at the club, but it highlights the contrasting ages among the managers preparing for the season. Wissing, Buckingham and the league’s other younger coaches are set to work alongside more experienced figures such as Postecoglou and Buric once the competition begins.