Jaissle facing uncertain Al Ahli future as reports suggest possible move to Saudi Pro League rivals Al Hilal

German coach Matthias Jaissle’s future at Al Ahli has been thrown into serious doubt, with Saudi reports suggesting Al Hilal could emerge as his next destination if he leaves the Jeddah club.

Jaissle is approaching the final year of his contract with Al Ahli and, according to Saudi journalist Mohamed Al-Bakri, talks over an extension have broken down, opening the door to both European interest and a highly contentious switch to the club’s traditional rivals.

Al-Bakri reported that an Al Ahli delegation – made up of Ahmed Al-Shanqeeti, Khaled Tash and Hazem Al-Hazmi – travelled to the team’s training camp in Portugal to hold face-to-face negotiations with the German over a new deal. However, those discussions ended without agreement.

The sticking point, Al-Bakri said, is not Jaissle’s salary. The 36-year-old is understood not to have requested a pay rise. Instead, the disagreement centres on the penalty clauses in the proposed contract, which the coach reportedly believes do not adequately protect his rights.

Jaissle is said to feel that the terms on offer fail to reflect his role in building what he views as a strong squad and guiding Al Ahli to two continental titles during his tenure over the past two seasons.

Talks collapse increase exit likelihood

With negotiations now at an impasse, Al-Bakri suggested the likelihood of Jaissle leaving is growing, either at the end of the current campaign or even earlier, should an acceptable offer arrive.

Among the possibilities raised, the most eye-catching is the prospect of Jaissle remaining in the Saudi Pro League but crossing the divide to take charge of Al Hilal, one of Al Ahli’s fiercest domestic rivals.

Al-Bakri indicated that, while Jaissle has multiple options to return to Europe and take over at clubs there, Al Hilal are viewed as a particularly strong contender within Saudi Arabia if he opts to continue his career in the kingdom.

Al Hilal, known as “Al Zaeem”, are described as keen to maintain their technical project with coaches who already possess experience in the Saudi Pro League, a profile that Jaissle now fits after two seasons with Al Ahli.

Potentially explosive move

For now, the scenario remains speculative and no agreement with any club has been reported. However, Al-Bakri stressed that a move by Jaissle directly from Al Ahli to Al Hilal, should it materialise, would rank among the most controversial managerial changes in the history of the Saudi league.

Such a switch would touch on one of the most intense rivalries in Saudi football and would involve a coach who has become a significant figure for Al Ahli supporters after the successes he has delivered since his arrival.

The combination of uncertain contract talks, concrete interest from Europe and the possibility of a move to Al Hilal ensures Jaissle’s situation is set to be one of the most closely watched storylines in Saudi football over the coming months.