Noureddine Ben Zekri emerges as Abha candidate after third Saudi Pro League dismissal

Algerian coach Noureddine Ben Zekri is being considered for a return to the Saudi Pro League after Abha dismissed Damir Buric, the third managerial departure in the division this season.

Abha announced on Wednesday that Buric had been removed from his position because of the team’s poor results since the start of the campaign. His compatriot Tio Berija has been placed in temporary charge.

Buric is the third coach to lose his job in the Saudi Pro League this season. He follows Zarko Lazetic, who was dismissed by Al-Taawoun, and Khaled Al-Atwi, who left Al-Fateh.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Abha’s board have placed Ben Zekri on their shortlist to manage the club until the end of the current season. Other candidates are also under consideration.

Ben Zekri has extensive experience in the Saudi Pro League, particularly in helping teams avoid relegation. He performed that role with Al-Okhdood and Al-Kholood, before most recently working with Al-Shabab last season.

Abha are likely to need that experience during the current campaign. They sit 18th and last in the table with two points from 10 matches, having drawn twice and lost eight times without recording a victory.

The club were promoted to this season’s Saudi Pro League after winning the Saudi First Division League title last season under Buric.