Rulani Mokwena set for record salary with Al Ittihad Tripoli move

Libyan side Al Ittihad Tripoli are preparing to appoint South African coach Rulani Mokwena as their new head coach in a deal expected to make him the highest-paid club manager in African football.

The move would see Mokwena take charge of one of Libya’s most prominent clubs shortly after leaving MC Alger, where he enjoyed a successful period in charge.

His time at the Algerian club included winning the Algerian Super Cup while guiding the team to the top of the national league standings.

Officials at Al Ittihad believe Mokwena’s coaching philosophy and tactical approach could play a key role in shaping the club’s ambitions in the coming seasons.

The proposed agreement would not only place the South African on a record salary but would also grant him significant authority over football operations.

Under the terms being prepared, Mokwena is expected to have wide control over the club’s sporting direction.

This includes a strong influence on recruitment decisions and the overall structure of the first team as he looks to implement his own vision for the squad.

Such autonomy would allow the coach to build a team tailored to his style of play, while also helping to shape the long-term sporting project at the Libyan club.

Al Ittihad, based in Tripoli, are regarded as one of the most established clubs in the country and have invested in building a modern football environment.

The club has developed training facilities designed to support professional preparation and has also established a structured youth development system aimed at producing future first-team players.

The club’s supporters are widely considered among the most passionate in Libyan football, creating an intense atmosphere around the team’s matches and expectations for success.

Within the club hierarchy, there is a belief that Mokwena’s emphasis on organisation, tactical discipline and long-term football development aligns with their broader ambitions.

By bringing in the South African coach, Al Ittihad hope to strengthen their sporting structure while building a squad capable of competing at a higher level.

If finalised, the appointment would mark one of the most significant managerial moves involving an African club in recent years.