Latest news with #Jaissle
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.'
The National
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Roberto Firmino salutes Al Ahli's mentality after AFC Champions League victory
Roberto Firmino said Al Ahli Saudi had shown a 'monster mentality' in becoming champions of Asia for the first time. The Brazilian forward added another continental trophy to the one he had won in Europe when he played for Liverpool. He was named player of the match as Ahli beat Kawasaki Frontale of Japan 2-0 in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite at their own home ground in Jeddah. In so doing they became the third Saudi club to become champions of Asia, following Al Hilal – who they beat in the semi-final on Tuesday – and their city rivals Al Ittihad. 'I am very happy and proud of the team, and of course very happy to make history here at this club,' Firmino, the Ahli captain, said. 'It is not easy to become champions. We fight every match, and I call it the monster mentality. When you have the monster mentality to win all the games, then you become champions.' Firmino and Riyad Mahrez became the first players to win the top prize in each of Europe and Asia. They had previously done so at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. 'This is why we play football, to play in matches like this,' Mahrez said. 'It is the first time for Al Ahli Club to win the Champions League. That was the aim. When we came here we wanted to make Al Ahli top of Asia and that is what we did. 'We played so good throughout the competition. We knew today would be a tricky game but we were so strong and so focused. 'That is how you win trophies and we are so happy. Now we have to celebrate and enjoy with family, friends.' The title success was vindication for Mattias Jaissle, the club's German manager. The 37-year-old coach was on the brink of the sack at the start of this year, with Massimiliano Allegri lined up as a high-profile replacement. However, the club's fans forced the powers that be to reconsidered, and the side have thrived in the time since. 'The incredible fans totally deserved this as well,' Jaissle said. 'It is nice to give something back to all the supporters, especially the ones who were always there, even when there were ups and downs. 'It is never easy. There is a lot of pressure in such a match, and the way the players dealt with it is not normal. They showed great personality.' Jaissle pointed out that his side were deserving champions. They went undefeated throughout the campaign, finishing second in the group phase on goal difference behind Al Hilal, who were the side they beat in the semi-final. 'I'm so proud of how they played throughout the journey in this competition,' Jaissle said. 'They put all their effort into that, and also the fans who always created an amazing atmosphere in support. We never took that for granted. 'Together you can achieve special things, and that is what happened tonight. I am almost speechless, but also all the respect for our opponents. 'Overall, to be frank, we totally deserved it.'
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Jaissle hails Al-Ahli fans as Asian title completes 'crazy journey'
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Final - Al Ahli v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 3, 2025 Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle players reacts after winning the Asian Champions League REUTERS/Stringer JEDDAH (Reuters) - Coach Matthias Jaissle credited Al-Ahli's supporters for their devotion to the club after steering his team to the Asian Champions League Elite on Saturday, two years after the Jeddah-based outfit were playing in Saudi Arabia's second division. A raucous full house at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium roared the hosts to a 2-0 win over Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, ensuring the club joined fellow Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal on the tournament's roll of honour. "It's a crazy journey to be honest," Jaissle said of Al-Ahli's climb to the Asian summit. "Not that long ago it looked completely different. "But the fans, the club, they deserved it. How emotional they are and how much support they bring into the club is unbelievable and therefore the guys could deliver today and bring something back that they deserve." Al-Ahli are considered one of Saudi Arabia's leading clubs but have often lived in the shadow of neighbours Al-Ittihad and Riyadh's Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad, the current Saudi Pro League leaders, won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles in 2004 and 2005 while Al-Hilal have been continental champions on a record four occasions, most recently in 2021. Al-Ahli, in contrast, had twice been runners-up in Asia's club championship without winning the trophy and they hit difficult times in 2022 when they were surprisingly relegated to the country's second tier. While an immediate return to the Saudi Pro League was secured, it was significant investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2023 that lifted the club, attracting the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney. Those high-profile signings have not been able to deliver the club's first domestic league title since 2016, but first half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie against Kawasaki secured a first Asian crown with an unbeaten record. "I'm so, so proud of the players," said Jaissle, who joined the club ahead of their first season back in the Saudi Pro League. "How they were performing, the whole journey in this competition. "They put all the effort into that and the fans, who always created an amazing atmosphere and support, which is something we never took for granted. "Together we can achieve special things and this is what happened tonight. Almost speechless. "All respect for our opponent, they caused us difficulties. Overall, we totally deserved it. We didn't have one loss in this competition. Big chapeau to the players and the whole club." (Reporting by Michael Church in Jeddah, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Jaissle hails Al-Ahli fans as Asian title completes 'crazy journey'
JEDDAH - Coach Matthias Jaissle credited Al-Ahli's supporters for their devotion to the club after steering his team to the Asian Champions League Elite on Saturday, two years after the Jeddah-based outfit were playing in Saudi Arabia's second division. A raucous full house at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium roared the hosts to a 2-0 win over Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, ensuring the club joined fellow Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal on the tournament's roll of honour. "It's a crazy journey to be honest," Jaissle said of Al-Ahli's climb to the Asian summit. "Not that long ago it looked completely different. "But the fans, the club, they deserved it. How emotional they are and how much support they bring into the club is unbelievable and therefore the guys could deliver today and bring something back that they deserve." Al-Ahli are considered one of Saudi Arabia's leading clubs but have often lived in the shadow of neighbours Al-Ittihad and Riyadh's Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad, the current Saudi Pro League leaders, won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles in 2004 and 2005 while Al-Hilal have been continental champions on a record four occasions, most recently in 2021. Al-Ahli, in contrast, had twice been runners-up in Asia's club championship without winning the trophy and they hit difficult times in 2022 when they were surprisingly relegated to the country's second tier. While an immediate return to the Saudi Pro League was secured, it was significant investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2023 that lifted the club, attracting the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney. Those high-profile signings have not been able to deliver the club's first domestic league title since 2016, but first half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie against Kawasaki secured a first Asian crown with an unbeaten record. "I'm so, so proud of the players," said Jaissle, who joined the club ahead of their first season back in the Saudi Pro League. "How they were performing, the whole journey in this competition. "They put all the effort into that and the fans, who always created an amazing atmosphere and support, which is something we never took for granted. "Together we can achieve special things and this is what happened tonight. Almost speechless. "All respect for our opponent, they caused us difficulties. Overall, we totally deserved it. We didn't have one loss in this competition. Big chapeau to the players and the whole club." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
