Rui Pedro could become third major Al-Ahli departure in less than a month

Al-Ahli are reportedly preparing to dismiss sporting director Rui Pedro, potentially making him the third senior figure to leave the Saudi club in less than a month as the 2026-27 season gets under way.

Saudi newspaper Al Yaum says the club’s management is considering removing the Portuguese from his position in the coming period.

Pedro was appointed Al-Ahli’s sporting director in October last year and has been responsible for the club’s recruitment during the last two transfer windows, including both the winter and summer periods.

His possible departure would represent another major change for Al-Ahli, who have already lost former president Khaled Al-Ghamdi and head coach Matthias Jaissle.

Al-Ghamdi stepped down after three years in charge to stand for the presidency of the Saudi Football Federation. Jaissle also left after three years at the club, moving to England to take charge of Newcastle United.

Pedro’s potential exit would therefore leave Al-Ahli without three of the key figures involved in the club’s sporting and administrative direction within a short period.

The club have also undergone significant changes on the playing side. Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie have departed, while five players from Al-Ahli’s emerging talent pool have been sent out on loan.

Those changes have come at the beginning of a new campaign in which Al-Ahli have already made a winning start. They opened their Saudi Roshn League season on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Al-Diriyah.

The only goal was scored by Armenia midfielder Eduard Spertsyan, who joined Al-Ahli from Russian club Krasnodar.

Pedro’s role has made him a central figure in the club’s recent recruitment strategy, given his involvement in assembling the squad during the two most recent transfer windows. His reported removal would consequently add further uncertainty around Al-Ahli’s sporting structure after a series of high-profile departures.

The club’s changes have followed a period in which both the boardroom and coaching staff have been reshaped. Al-Ghamdi’s decision to pursue the Saudi Football Federation presidency brought an end to his three-year spell as president, while Jaissle’s move to Newcastle United ended his tenure as manager.

With the new season now under way, attention is likely to focus on whether Al-Ahli confirm Pedro’s departure and how the club respond to another potential change in senior leadership.