Marcelino chooses European ambition over Al Ahli coaching offer

Al Ahli’s search for a successor to Matthias Jaissle has suffered a setback after Spanish coach Marcelino Garcia Toral rejected an offer to manage the two-time AFC Champions League winners, despite being attracted by the Saudi club’s project.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Al Ahli had identified the former Villarreal manager as its preferred choice and regarded him as the “ideal candidate” to lead the team. His potential appointment was strongly supported by sporting director Rui Pedro Braz, who previously served as Benfica’s director between 2021 and 2025.

Braz is understood to have been particularly impressed by Marcelino’s approach to coaching and his distinctive “method” for developing players and increasing their market value.

During his managerial career, Marcelino has worked with several prominent footballers, including Santi Cazorla, Ander Herrera, Goncalo Guedes and Luis Alberto. He has also coached three players who became world champions with Spain: Rodri, Ferran Torres and Nico Williams.

The two sides held several meetings as Al Ahli attempted to persuade Marcelino to take charge. The opportunity included the appeal of managing the reigning Asian champions, as well as the additional incentive of taking part in the Club World Cup.

However, Marcelino ultimately decided against accepting the proposal. Although he was attracted to the idea of coaching Al Ahli and recognised the scale of the project, he chose to follow a personal plan established after his departure from Villarreal.

That plan centres on continuing to improve his English, with the aim of securing a position in the short term at one of Europe’s elite clubs. His decision reflects a desire to return to the top level of European football and pursue his next opportunity through one of the continent’s leading teams.

Marcelino is expected to attract further offers in the coming period, with his next destination appearing increasingly likely to be in Europe. That leaves Al Ahli facing the task of identifying another candidate to lead the side in the next phase.

The rejection is therefore a significant blow to the club’s efforts to appoint Jaissle’s replacement. Al Ahli had viewed Marcelino’s experience, player-development record and familiarity with leading footballers as reasons why he could take charge of the team, but the coach’s longer-term ambitions have now taken priority.

His decision also underlines the challenge facing Al Ahli as it attempts to appoint a manager capable of matching the expectations surrounding a club that has won the AFC Champions League twice and is preparing for the demands associated with competing on the international stage.