Bousitch faces decisive Al Sadd test after Al Ahli’s historic defeat

Al Ahli manager Bousitch will reportedly lose his position if his side fail to beat Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

The Saudi club’s supporters are demanding changes after Al Ahli suffered a historic 6-1 defeat by Al Shabab in the 12th round of the Roshn Saudi League. The result has intensified pressure on the Dutch coach and prompted a furious reaction from the team’s fans.

During and after the match, sections of the Al Ahli support directed their anger at Bousitch from the stands, repeatedly chanting “Bousitch out” to make clear their desire for him to leave the club.

According to information obtained by Kooora from a source close to Al Ahli, the meeting with Qatar’s Al Sadd will represent the final opportunity in Bousitch’s time in charge of the club.

Al Ahli travel to face Al Sadd on Monday evening in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite. The match is scheduled for 02 November 2026.

The source said any result other than victory would lead to Bousitch’s official departure. One of Al Ahli’s former players or staff members would then take temporary charge while the club begins the process of appointing a foreign head coach in the coming period.

The decision follows a difficult few days for Bousitch, whose relationship with the club’s supporters has deteriorated further since the defeat by Al Shabab. The 6-1 scoreline was described as a historic loss for Al Ahli and left the coach facing sustained criticism.

Bousitch also became involved in a confrontation with a journalist after the match. When asked, “Will you leave Al Ahli?”, he replied: “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

The Al Sadd fixture therefore carries immediate consequences for the manager, with the club’s stated position, according to the source, making a win essential to his continued employment.

Al Ahli’s match in Qatar comes as the next major test for a side seeking to respond to the heavy domestic defeat. Failure to secure three points would trigger a change in the dugout, with an interim appointment expected before the club brings in a new foreign manager.