Pusic removed as Al-Ahli Saudi weigh Zekri and Conceicao after Al-Shabab rout

Al-Ahli Saudi have reportedly dismissed manager Marino Pusic following their 6-1 defeat by Al-Shabab in the Roshn Saudi League, with the decision said to have been taken while the match was still being played.

Al-Shabab completed the emphatic victory in Friday’s fixture at SHG Arena in Riyadh, in the 12th round of the competition. The result has prompted Al-Ahli’s management to begin examining possible replacements for the Dutchman.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Mيدان, Pusic’s removal was linked directly to the heavy defeat in the “mini-classic”. However, the report added that the decision was not made after the final whistle, but during the match itself.

Zekri makes initial contact

Al-Ahli have already started looking for a new head coach, with one member of the club’s board proposing former Al-Shabab manager Noureddine Zekri as a possible candidate.

The suggestion has progressed beyond an internal discussion. Al-Mيدان reported that Al-Ahli have made contact with the Algerian coach, who has given an initial indication that he would be willing to take the job. Further discussions are expected in the coming period.

Zekri is also being linked with a number of other clubs in the Roshn Saudi League. Abha are among the sides reported to be interested in appointing the former Al-Shabab manager.

Conceicao also considered

Zekri is not the only name under consideration. The same report said Sergio Conceicao, the former manager of Al-Ittihad, has also been put forward as a potential successor to Pusic.

Al-Ahli have not yet taken concrete steps to pursue that option, however. No official contact has been made with Conceicao so far, according to the report.

Pusic took charge of Al-Ahli at the start of the current season, succeeding German coach Matthias Jaissle. He has managed the team in 17 matches since his appointment, recording 11 victories, five defeats and one draw.

The defeat by Al-Shabab was Al-Ahli’s latest match in the Roshn Saudi League, with the club now facing a change in the dugout while its management assesses the next appointment.