Al-Ahli make four backroom signings to boost Matthias Jaissle’s title push

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have moved to reinforce their backroom staff with four high-profile sports science and medical appointments, as the club targets more silverware under German coach Matthias Jaissle.

The Jeddah giants, who have just completed a remarkable achievement by winning the AFC Champions League Elite title in consecutive seasons, have turned their focus off the pitch in a bid to sustain their recent success.

European expertise brought to Jeddah

In a statement published on their official website on Tuesday, Al-Ahli confirmed they have hired specialists in sports medicine, physiotherapy, sports science and fitness conditioning, describing the move as part of a wider plan to improve performance standards and player care.

Leading the intake is Spanish doctor Simon Bueno Lopez, who joins Al-Ahli’s medical department after a long spell at La Liga side Villarreal. The club presented his arrival as a key step in modernising its medical structures and injury management.

Al-Ahli have also appointed Dutch physiotherapist Jesper Gabriels. He previously worked with Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem and Saudi club Al-Qadsiah, as well as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s “Future Falcons” programme, which focuses on youth development and long-term talent planning.

Sports science focus for Jaissle’s squad

To complement the medical and rehab staff, Al-Ahli have added two specialists focused on performance and conditioning.

Luke Garcia, a sports science and fitness expert, has been recruited following stints with LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, Toronto FC in Canada and Portuguese giants Benfica. His role will centre on optimising physical preparation, monitoring workload and supporting Jaissle’s high-intensity playing model.

The final addition is Austrian fitness coach Sebastian Kirschner. He arrives from Red Bull Salzburg, where he has worked since 2019, including roles with FC Liefering, the Red Bull Salzburg Academy and the Olympic Training Centre in Salzburg. His background in the Red Bull system – known for its pressing and athletic football – is expected to align closely with Jaissle’s tactical approach.

Building for a packed trophy chase

Club officials framed the appointments as strategic investments ahead of a demanding 2024-25 campaign, in which Al-Ahli will compete on multiple fronts.

Domestically, the team will pursue the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League) title and the King’s Cup. On the continental stage, they will defend their AFC Champions League Elite crown, while also taking part on the global scene in the Intercontinental Cup for clubs.

With an expanded schedule and rising expectations following their back-to-back Asian triumphs, Al-Ahli are seeking to minimise injuries, extend the peak fitness of their key players and extract marginal gains through data-led training and recovery.

Statement of intent beyond transfers

While much of the focus in Saudi football has been on big-name player signings from Europe and South America, Al-Ahli’s latest moves underline a different kind of ambition: building an elite performance environment around the squad.

By backing Jaissle with a reinforced backroom team drawn from Villarreal, Vitesse, LA Galaxy, Toronto, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg, the club is signalling that its long-term project is about more than headline transfers.

Al-Ahli will hope that investment in science, medicine and conditioning will translate into sustained dominance at home, continued success in Asia and a competitive showing on the world stage in the coming season.