Al-Ahli give Xavi 48 hours to decide on coaching offer

Al-Ahli Saudi FC have given former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez 48 hours to respond to their official offer to become the club’s new head coach.

The Saudi Arabian club are seeking a replacement for German manager Matthias Jaissle, who is close to taking charge of Newcastle United.

Al-Ahli’s offer to Xavi is for him to succeed Jaissle, with the club understood to have set a deadline for his decision. The 46-year-old Spaniard has been without a team since leaving his position as Barcelona manager at the end of the season before last.

The club had previously narrowed its shortlist to three candidates as it considered who should replace Jaissle. The names under consideration were Portuguese coaches Vitor Pereira and Nuno Espirito Santo, along with Xavi.

Jaissle, who is 38, has held talks with Newcastle United and negotiations are understood to have reached an advanced stage. Sky Sports reports that he is set to become the English club’s next manager, succeeding Eddie Howe.

Howe is expected to leave Newcastle United after five years in charge. He was appointed in November 2021, replacing former manager Steve Bruce, shortly after the club was taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Jaissle joined Al-Ahli in 2023 and has led the club to two successive Asian Champions League titles, in 2025 and 2026.

The ownership structure would mean a move between the two clubs remains within the same wider group: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund owns both Al-Ahli Saudi FC and Newcastle United.

Xavi’s potential appointment would represent a return to club management after his departure from Barcelona. During his time at the Spanish club, he was in charge until leaving at the end of the season before last.

Al-Ahli must now wait for Xavi’s response before deciding whether to continue with him as their preferred candidate or move forward with one of the other two coaches on their shortlist.

The club’s search for a new manager comes as Newcastle prepare for a change of leadership, with their discussions with Jaissle progressing towards an agreement. Should that move be completed, Jaissle would leave Al-Ahli after guiding the team to consecutive Asian Champions League triumphs and take charge of Newcastle United instead.

The announcement would also bring an end to Howe’s five-year tenure at St James’ Park. Howe arrived after Bruce’s departure in 2021 and has since led the club through the period following the Public Investment Fund’s takeover.