Al Ahli have asked Newcastle United to delay the announcement of Matthias Jaissle as their new manager until the Saudi Pro League club appoint a replacement for the German.
Jaissle resigned as Al Ahli head coach last Thursday with the intention of taking charge of Newcastle United next season. He is expected to succeed Eddie Howe, who previously managed the English club, but Newcastle have not yet officially confirmed the appointment.
Saudi journalist Khalid Al-Zahrani reported that the delay was requested by Al Ahli. The Saudi club is understood to want to secure a new head coach before Newcastle formally announce Jaissle’s arrival.
The 37-year-old German’s departure has left Al Ahli searching for a successor, with several high-profile names linked with the position. The club have reportedly considered former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez, as well as fellow Spaniard Marcelino.
Portuguese candidates Vitor Pereira, Nuno Espirito Santo and Sergio Conceicao have also been associated with the vacancy. German coach Ole Werner is another name reported to be under consideration.
Al Ahli’s management is aiming to complete the appointment as quickly as possible so the new manager can oversee the team’s final preparations for the upcoming campaign. The urgency is heightened by the number of domestic and continental competitions in which the club is due to compete.
Al Ahli will begin the new season on 13 August, when they face Al-Diriyah in the opening round of the Saudi Pro League.
The club are also targeting a return to the top of Saudi football after last winning the league title in 2016. In addition, Al Ahli will seek to retain the AFC Champions League Elite crown they have won in each of the past two seasons.
Jaissle’s expected move to Newcastle follows a period in which he helped guide Al Ahli through an important phase of their development. However, his resignation has now created a managerial vacancy that the Saudi side must resolve before the new season begins.
Newcastle’s decision not to confirm Jaissle immediately has therefore been linked not to uncertainty over the German’s next destination, but to Al Ahli’s request for additional time to appoint a replacement. Until that process is completed, the English club are yet to make the former Al Ahli manager’s appointment official.
