Saudi Football Through Foreign Eyes

Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global football, particularly through the Saudi Pro League but also due to being hosts of the FIFA World Cup in 2034, has placed the country under sustained international scrutiny. The success of the league and the arrival of foreign players and coaches has, though, also revived familiar debates in Europe and beyond, touching on politics, reform, and indeed the entire motivation behind Saudi Arabia’s investment in sport.

In any field sporting or otherwise, foreign professionals working in Saudi Arabia are frequently asked to explain why they moved, what life on the ground is like, and how that reality compares with the narratives that dominate international headlines. The questions tend to be similar for footballers: about human rights, social change, and whether football is being used to reshape Saudi Arabia’s global image. Perhaps these complexities are priced in to the decision to move here, but it is worth considering whether foreign stars get the same questions when they move to the MLS in North America.

Meanwhile, when Cristiano Ronaldo returned to play for the PIF-owned Al-Nassr last week, he said “I belong to Saudi Arabia.” It was well-meaning but slightly unfortunate terminology for Ronaldo  to use given the league is perceived from abroad as being more financially than professionally attractive, but these are the parameters by which football is seen outside Saudi.

Actually, these debates tend to be discussed at that distance, far removed from daily life. Inside Saudi, fans were just pleased they could see Ronaldo play again.

Which is why it was so interesting to read an interview with Matthias Jaissle, the 35-year-old German coach of Al-Ahli, in the New York Times earlier this month. Rather than rehearse old debates or deal in bland platitudes, he actually explores the professional realities of coaching in Saudi Arabia alongside the scrutiny that inevitably follows, and the ways foreign coaches navigate a league that is both increasingly ambitious and closely observed.

His reflections offer insight not only into his own approach but also into the evolving standards, expectations, and professional culture within Saudi football. This is a young, ambitious coach, after all, who joined Al‑Ahli after winning domestic titles with Red Bull Salzburg and guiding the club to the Champions League knockout stage.

For him, the Saudi Pro League wasn’t a last chance to bolster his earnings. He wanted to lead Al-Ahli to a strong league finish - which he did. He won an AFC Champions League title. Fans have publicly backed him, raising banners of support and noting his remarks about the passion of the Saudi fanbase. Local sports journalists highlight his professionalism and his willingness to adapt culturally, portraying him as a stabilising figure who helped rebuild a club emerging from turbulent seasons.

Al‑Ahli, historically one of Saudi Arabia’s most popular clubs, is also the perennial rival of Al‑Ittihad - my own team - meaning every result in the derby is magnified, and every tactical decision scrutinised by pundits and supporters alike. Even for those with allegiances elsewhere, Jaissle’s ability to navigate such pressure has helped establish his reputation locally.

At the same time, some commentators question his tactical choices in certain domestic competitions and discuss contract negotiations, while social media sentiment ranges from enthusiastic support to sharp criticism.

Which actually is really healthy for the sport in Saudi. It underlines the passion, the pressure and the competitive nature of the Pro League. It shows that this can be a place where pure football debate can exist - it’s not just about the money and the political backdrop that frames external debate. And that can only be a good thing.

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