Three obstacles could prevent Antonio Conte from taking charge of Al Ahli

Antonio Conte has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Marino Pusic as manager of Al Ahli, but three major obstacles could prevent the Italian from taking the job.

Conte’s name has been linked with the Saudi Pro League club in recent days, alongside Portuguese manager Nuno Santo, as Al Ahli’s board attempts to resolve its managerial situation following a decline in results and performances.

However, Al Ahli must first address a significant financial issue before dismissing Pusic. The club would need to find about 7.5m euros to cover the remaining commitments in his contract, creating a substantial challenge before negotiations could begin with a manager of Conte’s stature.

The former Italy and Chelsea manager has a distinguished coaching record and extensive experience of success in European football, but his arrival would depend on more than his reputation.

Financial demands

The cost of appointing Conte is likely to be one of the most significant barriers. A manager of his profile would command a substantial salary, while his coaching staff would also represent a major financial commitment.

That comes at a difficult time for Al Ahli, who already need to provide 7.5m euros to end Pusic’s contract. The payment would place further pressure on the club’s budget and make it more complicated to take on another large financial obligation.

The situation is particularly sensitive because it remains unclear whether Al Ahli are prepared to make significant additional investment during the current period.

Mid-season timing

Conte has generally preferred to take charge at the start of a season, when he can assess his squad, determine its needs and impose his tactical ideas during pre-season.

Joining in the middle of a campaign would leave him with less time to reshape the team while working under immediate pressure from matches and results. That could prove problematic for Al Ahli, who need a rapid improvement in their performances but would not be able to give a new manager the opportunity to start from the beginning.

Any changes to the team’s playing style or formation would also require time before their impact became clear, with the club already involved in competitive fixtures.

Sporting guarantees

The potential appointment is not only dependent on salary and timing. Al Ahli would also need to present a clear sporting project capable of matching the ambitions of a manager such as Conte.

He would want to understand the squad available to him, the club’s ability to strengthen positions that require improvement and the extent of his technical authority. Agreement would also be needed over how he would work with the board on recruitment.

Al Ahli’s current financial pressures could limit its ability to meet all of those requirements, increasing the possibility of disagreements before an agreement is reached.

The club’s managerial decision comes as Al Ahli prepare to continue their Saudi Pro League campaign, with the date recorded as 07 November 2026 and Al Taawoun listed among their fixtures. Their chances of appointing Conte will depend not simply on his coaching ability or profile, but on whether the club can provide the conditions needed for the project to succeed.