Yaisele’s shock exit: how three coaches walked away from Al Ahli against the club’s wishes

German coach Matthias Jaissle has become the latest manager to leave Al Ahli Saudi FC abruptly, resigning from his role to take charge of Newcastle United and reviving a familiar pattern of high-profile departures that have unsettled the Jeddah club in the Saudi Pro League era.

Jaissle, who had been appointed to lead Al Ahli’s ambitious project following their return to the Saudi Pro League, tendered his resignation on Thursday, according to local media reports. He is set to succeed his former head coach Eddie Howe at Newcastle United next season.

The move places Al Ahli – widely known by their nickname “Al Raqi” – in a difficult position as they are forced back into the market for a new manager at a time when planning and recruitment for next season should already be under way.

Reports in Saudi and international outlets indicated that Jaissle informed the Al Ahli hierarchy of his decision as negotiations progressed with Newcastle, who had identified him as their preferred candidate to replace Howe. The Englishman is understood to be leaving his post at St James’ Park at the end of the current campaign, opening the door for his former assistant to step in.

Al Ahli had backed Jaissle heavily, tasking the German with building a side capable of competing at the top end of the Saudi Pro League and in continental competition. His sudden departure has therefore come as an unwelcome surprise inside the club.

Although Jaissle’s decision has dominated the headlines, it is not the first time Al Ahli have found themselves in this situation. Since the advent of the Saudi Pro League in its current professional form, two previous head coaches have also left the club in similarly abrupt fashion, opting to walk away while still under contract and leaving the board to pick up the pieces.

Those earlier exits, like Jaissle’s, were not part of Al Ahli’s strategic planning and forced the club into reactive appointments. Each time, the timing of the resignations complicated pre-season preparations, transfer strategies and long-term squad building.

Jaissle’s case follows the same pattern, with Al Ahli now requiring a swift resolution to their coaching vacancy to avoid falling behind domestic and regional rivals who have already begun shaping their squads and backroom teams for next season.

The club’s management will be under pressure to identify a replacement who can bring stability and maintain the trajectory envisaged when Jaissle was appointed. However, with the European season also heading towards its conclusion, the market for elite coaches is likely to be competitive.

For Newcastle United, Jaissle’s arrival marks a significant change of direction after the tenure of Howe, under whom the German previously worked. The Premier League side are expected to confirm the appointment once contractual and administrative details are completed.

In Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, attention will turn to how Al Ahli respond to the latest in a line of managerial shocks – and whether the club can finally find a long-term solution in the dugout after yet another coach has decided to leave them before the hierarchy were ready to let him go.

All rights reserved Kooora ©2026