https://www.scmp.com/rss/522763/feed The latest news and top stories on Matthias Jaissle, a German professional football manager and former player. He has a background as a centre-back for 1899 Hoffenheim. Key accomplishments include leading Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Championships, an Austrian Cup and their first UEFA Champions League knockout stage appearance, plus a third-place finish with Al-Ahli in the 2023–24 season. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli will begin the defence of their Asian Champions League Elite title against Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in a buoyant mood on Monday, boosted by Matthias Jaissle’s recent decision to extend his contract with the club. The German coach will lead his team into their opening clash of the new campaign in Jeddah, with the ink having only recently dried on a deal that extends his stay by another two seasons after first arriving in the country in 2023. “It was an historical moment to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325503/asian-champions-league-al-ahli-confident-mood-ahead-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3325503/asian-champions-league-al-ahli-confident-mood-ahead-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:00:12 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Ivan Toney has blasted the “crazy treatment” of his Al-Ahli team at the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong. England striker Toney was on the scoresheet when Al-Ahli thumped Al-Qadsiah 5-1 on Wednesday to book a Saturday night final date with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Late replacements for Al-Hilal, who withdrew from the competition following their involvement in the summer Club World Cup, Al-Ahli arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday. “To be honest, the preparation and how we’ve been treated has been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322868/ivan-toney-blasts-crazy-treatment-al-ahli-saudi-super-cup-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322868/ivan-toney-blasts-crazy-treatment-al-ahli-saudi-super-cup-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:30:21 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Michel, the decorated Al-Qadsiah head coach, has accused Saudi football’s detractors of ignorance ahead of his team’s Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Ahli in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The Spaniard, who won six La Liga titles as an exceptional midfielder for Real Madrid, said people in his homeland “only discuss football in Saudi Arabia from a financial perspective”. Despite spending more than US$80 million following promotion to the top flight last season, and forking out around US$76... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322367/saudi-footballs-critics-accused-fixating-money-ahead-super-cup-semi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322367/saudi-footballs-critics-accused-fixating-money-ahead-super-cup-semi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong is this week playing host to the Saudi Super Cup, which is why Cristiano Ronaldo is in town. The tournament has been running annually since 2013 but this is the third edition of its four-team format. It brings together the winners and runners-up from the Saudi Pro League and the country’s King's Cup in a mini-tournament, comprising two semi-finals and a final at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong is its third overseas host city after London – three times – and Abu Dhabi. Al-Nassr will play... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322374/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldos-hong-kong-who-else-coming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3322374/saudi-super-cup-cristiano-ronaldos-hong-kong-who-else-coming?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:47:58 +0000