Merih Demiral backs Al-Ahli to build momentum after Jaissle departure

Merih Demiral has urged Al-Ahli supporters to look forward with confidence after the Saudi side began their Roshn Saudi League campaign with victory over Al-Diriyah, saying the team needs time to adapt to new head coach Marino Pusic.

Demiral, the Turkey defender, was speaking just days after German manager Matthias Jaissle left Al-Ahli to take charge of Newcastle United. The club responded by appointing Dutch coach Pusic, meaning the squad is having to adjust to a new manager at the start of the season.

“Do not worry about Al-Ahli. The future is better, and wait for this team,” Demiral told Saudi network Thmanyah.

The 27-year-old believes Al-Ahli have enough quality in their squad to produce strong performances over the course of the campaign. However, he acknowledged that the players will need time to understand and apply Pusic’s ideas in competitive matches.

“We have many outstanding players, and at the moment we need to adapt to the new coach,” Demiral said.

His comments came after Al-Ahli secured a win against Al-Diriyah in the opening round of the Roshn Saudi League. Demiral described the match as a demanding contest, but said his side handled the circumstances surrounding the start of the season effectively.

“We played a great match against Al-Diriyah. The game was difficult, but we dealt with it in an ideal way,” he said.

Al-Ahli were forced to begin a new chapter after Jaissle’s departure, with the change in the dugout coming shortly before the start of their league campaign. Demiral suggested that the squad’s experience would help the players manage the disruption and maintain their focus.

“This is football, and we are professional players who have the ability to help ourselves,” he added.

The defender’s message was also intended to reassure supporters who are expecting Al-Ahli to challenge strongly for honours during the new season. The club are looking to build on their opening result while Pusic works to establish his methods and tactical approach.

Demiral said the players would continue working to improve in their upcoming fixtures and insisted they would give everything to raise their level.

“We will try to give everything we have in what is to come,” he said.

Al-Ahli will now aim to maintain the positive start against the backdrop of a major managerial change, with Demiral confident that the team’s performances will improve as the squad becomes more familiar with Pusic’s demands.