Latest news with #AlAhliSaudiFC
Saudi Gazette
18-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ahli reaffirm commitment to Matthias Jaissle amid contract renewal talks
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Ahli Saudi FC have reaffirmed their commitment to head coach Matthias Jaissle, dismissing speculation about a potential split and confirming that the German tactician remains under contract until 2026. In an official statement released Saturday, the club denied any reports suggesting a termination of Jaissle's contract or talks with alternative candidates. 'Such claims are baseless and completely unfounded,' the club said, adding that all official communications are issued exclusively via its verified platforms. Al Ahli further revealed that talks are already underway to revise Jaissle's existing contract to enhance technical continuity ahead of a critical upcoming season. 'Coach Jaissle is a cornerstone of our sporting project,' the statement read. 'We value the professional strides made under his leadership and are confident in his ability to drive forward our long-term strategy.'The club's statement comes in response to widespread media reports suggesting an imminent parting of ways, intensified by comments made by Jaissle himself following Al Ahli's recent league win over Al at the post-match press conference, Jaissle expressed gratitude for the players and fans but noted: 'The club decided not to renew my contract. There were no talks regarding extension terms or salary. My intention has always been to stay and build on what we've started, but that wasn't the club's direction.'Despite the remarks, local media reports confirmed that Al Ahli have in fact presented Jaissle with a contract extension offer for one additional season. The proposed deal includes a salary raise starting next season, where he remains under current package reportedly totals €9 million annually, reaching €12 million with performance bonuses. However, the coach is said to be seeking a long-term four-year deal worth €20 million per season — a demand Al Ahli management views as excessive at this stage of the club's rebuilding project.
Qatar Tribune
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Al Ahli SFC's title is for fans: Jaissle
Agencies Jeddah Matthias Jaissle paid equal tribute to the fans after Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 winners following a 2-0 win against Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday. While Jaissle hailed his players for maintaining the high standards they have set throughout the campaign with another impressive display in the final, he was immensely thankful to the support from the stands as over 58,000 packed the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. 'I'm so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition,' said Jaissle. 'Also the fans who created an amazing atmosphere, which we never take for granted. Together we can achieve special things and that was tonight. It's nice to give something back to the supporters.' The title of Asian champions has come just three years after Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League, which Jaissle said made their triumph even more deserving. 'It's been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different. Incredible how much support they (the fans) bring to the club and the guys delivered today to bring something back that they deserve.' Unlike their previous two AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 matches where they took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, Al Ahli actually had a fight on their hands against Japan's Frontale before Galeno's 35th minute wonder strike settled their nerves. With their confidence boosted, Al Ahli began to play free-flowing football with Franck Kessie doubling their advantage before the break with the Saudi Pro League then opting for a controlled display in the second half. Admitting that there was immense pressure on the team after they qualified for the final, Jaissle tipped his hat to the incredible character of his players. 'The opponents caused us difficulties, they were well organised but overall we fully deserved it. It's never easy. There's a lot of pressure in such a match and you need to deal with it. 'Even more proud how the players dealt with it. This is not normal and the players showed great personality. In the second half, we defended and we wanted to keep the clean sheet and we managed that in the end.'
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
This is special because it gives us chance to be legends: Firmino on Al Ahli's maiden Asia triumph
Roberto Firmino was seen crying after he created history with his man of the match performance, which helped Al Ahli Saudi FC win the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 title on Saturday. It was the famous club's first continental title and the Brazilian was ecstatic to have played his part in adding a new chapter to the club's glorious history. 'I'm very happy and very proud of the team. Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends. I'm very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team. This title is very special because we have never won it, the chance to win and be legends," said Firminho. Firmino, who was also named tournament's Most Valuable Player, had already accumulated six goals and five assists before the final and rose to the occasion yet again in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025. The 33-year-old laid the pass for Galeno to curl the ball into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home. Having previously won the UEFA Champions League in 2018/19 with England's Liverpool, Firmino knew exactly when it was his turn to win the Asian equivalent. "For me, it was the semi-final against Al Hilal (SFC) when (Kalidou) Koulibaly got sent off, I had a feeling then that we could win. We believed and we did a great job. This title win shows us to have a monster mentality. We always believed we could be champions and we have done it," he added.
Saudi Gazette
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ahli's Mendy named Best Goalkeeper of AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Eduoard Mendy capped off a stellar campaign by winning the Best Goalkeeper award of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, following Al Ahli Saudi FC's historic 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in Saturday's final. The Senegalese international was a rock at the back for Al Ahli, playing a pivotal role in their maiden continental triumph during the Finals held in Jeddah. Mendy, 33, was commanding throughout the tournament, particularly in the knockout rounds, where he kept clean sheets in the 3-0 quarter-final win over Buriram United and the final against Frontale. Against Al Hilal in the semi-finals, his presence and positioning helped blunt one of Asia's most potent attacks. His calm under pressure and ability to organize the backline were critical as Al Ahli completed their campaign unbeaten, with 12 wins and a draw. The title adds to Mendy's impressive collection of silverware, having already lifted the UEFA Champions League during his time at Chelsea.
Saudi Gazette
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari clinches AFC Champions League Elite top scorer award
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Hilal's talisman Salem Al Dawsari was crowned the top goalscorer of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 after netting 10 goals during a standout campaign that ended with his team bowing out at the semi-final stage. Despite Al Hilal's 3-1 defeat to eventual champions Al Ahli Saudi FC in the last four, Al Dawsari's attacking brilliance lit up the competition from start to finish. The Saudi international opened his account on Matchday Two with a goal in the 5-0 win over Al Shorta, before scoring a stunning hat-trick in a 5-4 thriller against Al Ain. He followed that with a brace against Iran's Persepolis FC and a strike versus UAE's Al Wasl to close out the group stage with seven goals. In the knockout rounds, Al Dawsari added three more: one in the second-leg comeback against Pakhtakor, another against Gwangju FC in the quarter-finals, and one final goal in the semi-final loss to Al 33-year-old's performances reaffirmed his status as one of Asia's most consistent and dangerous wide attackers, earning him the tournament's Golden Boot despite Al Hilal falling short of the title.
