Croat Takes Over Saudi League Giants After Shakhtar
Marin Pušić, a 54-year-old from Mostar, is the new coach of Al Ahli, the reigning Asian champions, having signed a contract until 2028.
Marin Pušić, a 54-year-old from Mostar, is the new coach of Al Ahli, the reigning Asian champions, having signed a contract until 2028.
Saudi football powerhouse Al Ahli officially unveiled their new coach on Thursday. The bench of the current Asian champions has been taken over by Croatian-Dutch tactician Marin Pušić, who has signed a contract until 2028, the club announced.
Pušić (54) succeeds German Matthias Jaissle at the helm of Al Ahli, who left the Saudi club to take charge of English side Newcastle United following Eddie Howe's departure. Jaissle won two consecutive AFC Champions League titles with Al Ahli.
Born in Mostar, Pušić arrives in Saudi Arabia after leading Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates last season, marking his first coaching experience in the Persian Gulf region. Prior to that, he won the Ukrainian league title with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2024.
Pušić's coaching journey also includes significant successes in Dutch football. As an assistant coach at Feyenoord, he helped secure the Eredivisie title in 2023, and in 2019, he assisted FC Twente in earning promotion to the top tier of Dutch football.
The appointment was confirmed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and Pušić now faces the task of leading one of the most ambitious clubs in the Saudi league, which holds the title of Asian champions.
