English Premier League
Al-Ahli close in on Marcelino deal but coaching staff demand delays appointment
Al-Ahli Saudi are continuing negotiations with Spanish coach Marcelino Garcia Toral over becoming the club’s new first-team manager, with one outstanding condition delaying an official announcement.
Marcelino is being considered as the successor to German manager Matthias Jaissle as Al-Ahli prepare for the new season. The Saudi club are seeking to appoint a coach to lead what they see as a new technical project, and talks with the experienced Spaniard have progressed.
According to journalist Santi Aouna, Al-Ahli have offered Marcelino a two-year contract worth up to €12m per season. The proposal is intended to persuade the former Spain and club manager to take charge of the Saudi Arabian side.
Marcelino is said to be enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to Al-Ahli and taking on the role. However, he has made one key demand before agreeing to the move: he wants permission to bring his entire coaching staff with him.
That request remains under discussion between Marcelino and Al-Ahli’s management. The club and the coach have not yet reached a final agreement because the composition of his backroom team has still to be settled.
One member of Marcelino’s staff is reportedly still hesitant about relocating to Saudi Arabia. That uncertainty has become the main reason why negotiations have not yet been concluded, despite the positive direction of talks between the manager and the club.
Al-Ahli now face a decision over how long they are prepared to continue discussions. Their management does not intend to allow the negotiations to continue indefinitely and is expected to begin talks with other managers in the coming days if a final agreement with Marcelino cannot be reached soon.
The club’s priority remains completing the deal with Marcelino, but the unresolved position of one member of his proposed technical team means the appointment cannot yet be formally announced.
The report comes as Al-Ahli work on their preparations for the new campaign and look to confirm the successor to Jaissle. Marcelino’s potential arrival would depend not only on his agreement to the contract and salary terms, but also on the club accepting his condition regarding the staff he wishes to take to Saudi Arabia.
Until that issue is resolved, negotiations will continue without a completed deal. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement in the near future, Al-Ahli are ready to widen their search and open discussions with alternative candidates.
The developments have also been reported alongside speculation over a possible move involving Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Atletico de Madrid, although that subject is separate from the negotiations between Al-Ahli and Marcelino.
