Al-Nassr president Abdullah Al-Majed confirms exit after completing term as Saudi club shake-up continues

Abdullah Al-Majed has confirmed he is stepping down as president of Al-Nassr after the end of his official term, becoming the second leading figure to leave a major Saudi club within hours following the departure of Al-Ahli chief Khaled Al-Ghamdi.

Al-Majed announced his decision on Tuesday via his personal account on X, stressing that he did not wish to remain in post under an automatic extension clause linked to the club’s corporate structure, citing work commitments.

His departure comes shortly after reports that Khaled Al-Ghamdi had decided to vacate the presidency of Al-Ahli in order to submit his candidacy to lead the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, succeeding former president Yasser Al-Misehal.

Al-Majed wrote: “If clubs have supporters, then Al-Nassr has lovers; its place in their hearts does not change when their positions change.”

He continued: “Today, I leave the presidency after the end of the regulatory period, and my lack of desire to continue in the automatic extension period under the companies system, due to my professional circumstances.”

Title-winning spell brought to a close –

Al-Majed’s two-season tenure at Al-Nassr culminated in the club lifting the Roshn Saudi League title, ending a seven-year wait for the league crown.

Reflecting on his time in charge, he said: “I lived through a period whose unforgettable memories, immortal moments and declared and hidden challenges I will carry with me, crowned in the end by winning the most difficult league.”

He reserved particular appreciation for supporters and club staff, adding: “Thanks be to God first and last, then to you, the loyal fans who were patient and reaped the reward. I thank my colleagues on the board of directors, the honorary members, the technical and administrative staff, the players, and all committees and councils for their efforts during a period full of stories of loyalty and belonging.”

Return to the stands —

Al-Majed confirmed he will now resume his place among the Al-Nassr supporters, while pledging to use his voting rights to back the choice of the club’s fans in the forthcoming presidential election.

“I return to the yellow stands as I was,” he said. “As for the votes that I hold for nominating the next administration, they will belong to the Al-Nassr fans, and I will support any candidate you see as an ideal option for the club. What is certain is that I will be the first supporter of anyone who serves the Al-Nassr entity.”

Future of presidential roles under scrutiny –

His resignation comes amid wider debate over the governance model at some of Saudi Arabia’s leading clubs.

Recent reports have indicated there is a move to abolish the role of president of the non-profit institutions overseeing Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, all of which are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with the clubs expected to be offered for sale in the coming period.

Al-Majed’s exit from Al-Nassr, coupled with Al-Ghamdi’s move to leave Al-Ahli and pursue the top job at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, underscores a period of significant change at the upper levels of Saudi football administration.

Al-Majed’s two-year spell in charge, highlighted by the long-awaited Roshn Saudi League triumph, now concludes with Al-Nassr preparing for a new leadership era, while he insists his role as a prominent backer of the club will continue from the stands rather than the boardroom.