Al Ahli under fire as Saudi pundit calls for Marino Pusic to leave

Saudi football broadcaster Khalid Al-Shنيف has launched a strong criticism of Al Ahli head coach Marino Pusic, blaming the Dutchman for the team’s decline and questioning his decisions before the side’s demanding meeting with Al Shabab.

Al Ahli are enduring a difficult spell under Pusic. They suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat by Al Shabab before being held to a goalless draw by Qatari club Al Sadd, increasing pressure on the manager and fuelling calls from supporters and sections of the media for the club to end his tenure.

Speaking on the programme Dawryna Ghair, Al-Shنيف claimed that Pusic was contributing to Al Ahli’s problems. He also revealed that Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Brazilian winger Galeno had recovered from injury before the match against Al Shabab, but were left out after the coach decided not to select them.

The decision has raised questions, particularly because both players had performed impressively during the subsequent encounter with Al Sadd. Al-Shنيف said their absence against Al Shabab required an explanation from the coaching staff.

His criticism extended to Pusic’s team selection, most notably the decision to rely on striker Artem Bondarenko.

“The head coach who relies on Artem Bondarenko is not a coach in the first place, in my view,” Al-Shنيف said. “I hope he leaves.”

The comments add to the uncertainty surrounding Pusic’s position as Al Ahli struggle for consistent results and a settled tactical identity. The club now faces increasing questions over whether the Dutch manager can reverse the team’s fortunes and persuade the board that he should be given more time, or whether the club will instead seek a change in the coaching staff in the coming period.

The latest developments come as Al Ahli’s Saudi Pro League schedule lists a fixture involving Al Taawoun on 07 November 2026.