Arne Slot is a candidate to replace Matthias Jaissle as manager of Al Ahli. Jaissle is on his way to Newcastle – and Slot could get a new job in Saudi Arabia.
Jaissle is about to take over as Newcastle manager, after Eddie Howe leaves the club after five years at the helm. The German went to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to take over Al Ahli, after leaving Red Bull Salzburg.
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During his three years in the job, he has won 92 of 138 games and secured two Asian Champions League titles in a row. Now he is on his way to the Premier League to replace Howe – and thus Al Ahli’s manager’s chair will be vacant.
That position may end up with Arne Slot.
Slot has been vacant since May
Slot was sacked by Liverpool in May, after just over two seasons at the club. He won the Premier League title in 2025. Since then, he has not taken a new job – despite Fulham trying to sign him.
He turned down the offer, and Fulham instead hired former Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Slot has also been linked with AC Milan before hiring Rúben Amorim, and he has been mentioned as a potential national team manager for the Netherlands.
Now he is still without a job – and is on Al Ahli’s radar.
Pereira also relevant
Slot is not alone in the interest. Al Ahli is also considering former Wolves and Nottingham Forest manager Vítor Pereira. No inquiry has been made yet, but the Portuguese is an option.
Pereira has experience from Saudi Arabia – he spent ten months at Al Shabab and was also manager of Al Ahli in 2013. He was sacked by Wolves in November 2025 after losing eight of the first ten games last season.
Four months later, he was hired by Nottingham Forest, but his stay was short-lived. He was sacked at the beginning of July – despite having saved his place in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Now he is relevant for a third term in the Middle East.
One thing is certain: Jaissle’s departure has ripple effects – and Arne Slot could soon be back at work. Even though football in Saudi Arabia is unbelievably boring and at a low level, it is at least well paid.
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