Al Ahli Saudi club turns down Arne Slot as Marcelino remains candidate

Al Ahli Saudi Football Club is searching for a new head coach after German manager Matthias Jaissle reportedly left to join Newcastle United. French journalist Santi Aouna claimed that former Villarreal coach Marcelino had already accepted a two‑year contract with Al Ahli, but Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano disputed the report, saying Marcelino and former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández were not close to the job.

Dutch coach Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024‑25, also rejected Al Ahli’s offer. Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah and Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad reported that Slot preferred to wait for other opportunities, having previously turned down a role with the Dutch national team. Slot is linked with possible positions in Europe and the Netherlands national team, while Al Ahli continues to pursue a replacement ahead of its season start on 13 August.