Jens Wissing takes top spot in Roshn Saudi League coaching age list after Jaissle exit

Jens Wissing has become the youngest head coach in the Roshn Saudi League after Matthias Jaissle’s departure from Al-Ahli, just before the start of the new season.

Jaissle, who is German, officially left Al-Ahli last Wednesday after the release clause in his contract was paid. He has since taken charge of English club Newcastle United, replacing their previous manager Eddie Howe.

Jaissle’s exit has given his compatriot Wissing, the head coach of Al-Ittihad, a new distinction ahead of the campaign, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.

Both managers are 38 years old, but Wissing is three months older than Jaissle. That initially placed the Al-Ittihad boss second in the age rankings among Roshn Saudi League managers.

However, Jaissle’s departure means Wissing now occupies first place and is the youngest manager in the competition before the new season begins.

Wissing is also the only head coach in the league who is yet to reach the age of 40. The next youngest manager is Englishman Des Buckingham, who leads Al-Kholood and is 41.

At the opposite end of the list, Ange Postecoglou, the Australian manager of Al-Nassr, is the second-oldest head coach in the Roshn Saudi League at 60.

The oldest manager is Croatian Damir Buric, who is in charge of Abha. He is 62, two years older than Postecoglou.

The new Roshn Saudi League season is scheduled to begin next Thursday, when Abha face Al-Hazem in the opening fixture.

Al-Ahli will then play Al-Fateh on the same day, while Al-Shabab meet Al-Qadsiah.

The coaching change at Al-Ahli has therefore altered the league’s age rankings before a ball is kicked, with Wissing moving from second to first following Jaissle’s move to Newcastle United.

Jaissle’s departure was confirmed after the contractual compensation was paid, bringing an end to his spell in charge of Al-Ahli and opening the way for his move to the Premier League club.

Wissing will now begin the season as the youngest manager in Saudi Arabia’s top flight, while the league also includes a wide range of coaching experience, from the 41-year-old Buckingham to the 62-year-old Buric.

The first matches will provide the opening competitive test for the managers and their teams, beginning with Abha against Al-Hazem before the day’s other fixtures involving Al-Ahli, Al-Fateh, Al-Shabab and Al-Qadsiah.