Al-Ahli Fans Demand Marino Pusic’s Exit Before Al-Nassr Clasico
Pressure is mounting on Al-Ahli head coach Marino Pusic, with supporters calling on the club’s management to dismiss the Dutchman before the Jeddah side faces traditional rival Al-Nassr. The demand has gathered momentum on social media, where fans have questioned Pusic’s tactics, results and ability to guide the team through a demanding stretch of the Saudi Pro League season.
Al-Ahli are scheduled to host Al-Nassr at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on November 20. The high-profile Clasico was postponed from the league’s ninth round, and its timing has given the fixture added significance: it arrives while confidence in the coaching staff is under strain and scrutiny of the club’s decision-makers is intensifying.
Supporters launch campaign against Pusic
With the match approaching, Al-Ahli fans began sharing the hashtag “Pusic’s departure is our demand” on X, urging the board to act before the derby. The campaign reflects growing frustration among sections of the fanbase, who believe a change in leadership is necessary to protect the club’s season and restore belief in the team.
Online criticism has been particularly sharp since Al-Ahli’s heavy 6–1 defeat to Al-Shabab in the 12th round of the Roshn Saudi League. A loss of that scale can quickly reshape expectations at a club with a passionate following, and the result has become a focal point for supporters questioning the team’s organization and resilience.
For many fans, the concern is not limited to one disappointing scoreline. Their comments point to broader doubts about the direction of the side, including whether Pusic’s approach is producing consistent performances and whether the squad is making the most of its quality. With Al-Nassr next on the schedule, supporters fear that another poor display could deepen the crisis.
Mixed record since taking charge
Pusic took over at Al-Ahli last August, succeeding German coach Matthias Jaissle, who left the club before moving to Newcastle United. The Dutchman has overseen 18 matches since arriving in Jeddah, recording 11 wins, two draws and five defeats.
Those figures offer a more complicated picture than the online backlash alone suggests. Eleven victories represent a strong share of the team’s matches, but the defeats—including the damaging loss to Al-Shabab—have raised questions about consistency. For a club competing under intense expectations, supporters often judge a coach not only by the number of wins but by performances in major fixtures and the team’s response after setbacks.
The debate also reflects the difficult circumstances surrounding any coaching change. A new appointment could give the squad a short-term lift, but it would also require the club to find a suitable replacement, communicate a clear plan and limit disruption during the season. If the board chooses to retain Pusic, it will need to show confidence in his project and explain how the team intends to improve.
Fans voice frustration over the club’s decision-making
Supporter Abdulrahman described Pusic’s continued presence as a major concern, arguing that many Al-Ahli fans would support his departure. His comments captured the sense of urgency among those who believe the club should make a decision before the Clasico rather than wait for further results.
Another fan, Abdulhamid Al-Amri, criticized the sequence of events that led to Jaissle’s departure and Pusic’s appointment. He described the change in coaching staff as a damaging decision and questioned whether the current coach was the right choice for a club with Al-Ahli’s ambitions. He also raised a practical question facing the board: if Pusic is dismissed, who is available to replace him?
That question is central to the discussion. Calls for a coach to leave can become widespread after a heavy defeat, but a replacement must be able to take charge quickly, understand the squad and deliver results against demanding opposition. Any decision would therefore involve more than reacting to fan sentiment; it would require a careful assessment of the team’s needs and the options available in the market.
Supporter Basel argued that Al-Ahli deserve a coach capable of matching the club’s stature and warned that keeping Pusic could waste valuable time during the campaign. Walid, meanwhile, claimed that criticism extends beyond the stands, saying players, media personalities and television programmes have also questioned the coach’s continuation. His remarks placed the focus squarely on management, which he accused of allowing the situation to persist.
Al-Nassr match could shape the next chapter
The upcoming Clasico is likely to intensify the spotlight on Pusic, regardless of the board’s decision. A convincing performance could help calm the debate and give the coach room to rebuild trust. A defeat, especially if accompanied by defensive mistakes or a lack of attacking threat, could strengthen calls for change and place the club’s leadership under even greater pressure.
Any football prediction for Al-Ahli versus Al-Nassr should account for more than the teams’ names or recent results. The atmosphere around Al-Ahli, the response to the Al-Shabab defeat and the tactical contest on the day could all influence the outcome. Al-Nassr will also arrive knowing that the match offers an opportunity to take advantage of uncertainty at their rivals, while Al-Ahli will be eager to turn the home crowd’s energy into a positive force.
For now, the club has a choice between backing its coach and making a change before one of the season’s most emotionally charged fixtures. The fan campaign has made clear that patience is running low, but the final decision rests with Al-Ahli’s management. Whatever happens, the Clasico will be more than a contest for league points: it will be a test of Pusic’s authority, the players’ response and the board’s judgment at a pivotal moment for the Jeddah club.
