Marino Pusic’s Warning: Al‑Ahly Might End Up Like Al‑Nassr in the Transfer Market

When Marino Pusic arrived at Al‑Ahly, the Jeddah‑based side expected a fresh breath of Dutch tactics and perhaps a few trophies. What they got instead was a roller‑coaster of results that has fans and executives reaching for the panic button.

Things went from bad to worse after a humiliating 6‑1 defeat at the hands of Al‑Shabab. Suddenly, headlines were splashing “Pusic’s tenure in jeopardy” and rumours of his possible exit started swirling around the club’s glittering headquarters – affectionately dubbed “the elegant”.

On the popular talk show “Nadeena” on MBC 1, Saudi media personality Abdulrahman Al‑Thunayan dropped a bombshell: the only thing standing between Al‑Ahly and a swift dismissal of the Dutchman is money. He warned that pulling the plug now could land the club under a strict financial monitoring regime – a situation no club wants to revisit.

It’s not just theoretical. Last summer Al‑Nassr found themselves in exactly that spot. After being placed under financial scrutiny, their only feasible signing was Portugal’s Samu Costa, coming from Real Mallorca. The move was a clear signal: the club’s transfer options had been severely curbed.

Since taking charge, Pusic has overseen 18 matches – 11 wins, two draws and five losses. Those numbers look decent on paper, yet the recent drubbing has dwarfed the positives and fed the narrative that a change might be overdue.

Among the names tossed around as potential successors is German coach Ole Werner, the former Leipzig manager who was once in the running before Pusic got the job. Whether the board will gamble on another foreign coach or stick with the status quo remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the financial fallout of sacking Pusic could be a nightmare.

In short, Al‑Ahly faces a delicate balancing act. Dismiss the Dutchman and risk the same constraints that crippled their rivals, or keep him on the bench and hope the next match turns the tide. The winter transfer window looms, and every decision now will echo in the club’s future.