Al Ahli Jeddah Nears American-Backed Executive Appointment: A New Era in Jeddah Sparks Hope
12 October 2025
Executive shake-up nears completion
Al Ahli Jeddah's management is pushing ahead with a broad administrative overhaul to usher the club into a new era.
Sources say the club is close to naming an American chief executive after evaluating several foreign contenders.
According to the Saudi sports daily Al-Riyadiyah, talks with a US-citizenship candidate are advanced, with an official announcement expected soon after final details are agreed.
The new CEO is expected to visit the club in Jeddah to review operations and onboarding ahead of signing contracts. The departure of British executive Ron Gourley on April 1 ends a year-long tenure.
Gourley had been CEO since February 2024, drawing on a long resume with European giants like Manchester United and Chelsea, including league titles, a domestic double, and involvement with FIFA/UEFA marketing committees.
Al Ahli praised his role in strengthening the financial and administrative backbone and sustainability, signaling a fresh phase of development.
Integrated leadership project
In early October, Al Ahli appointed Roy Pedro Baraz as sporting director, part of a plan to build a modern technical and administrative framework that matches fan expectations and owner ambitions.
Baraz said he was proud to join and intends to lay solid foundations for domestic and continental success, working closely with all departments.
Blending local talent with international expertise
The club is also pursuing growth in its commercial and media arms. On September 8, Amir Tawfiq was named chief executive of the commercial division to boost revenues and partnerships.
Tawfiq brings extensive marketing experience from his previous role with Al Ahli Saudi Football, including partnerships with Adidas, Red Bull, and EY, and expanding the club academies abroad.
He holds FIFA/CIES Diploma and participates in FIFA's Club Management program, adding international reach for new investors and sponsors.
On September 12, Majid Ben Bashir Al-Fahami was appointed official spokesperson to unify communications with fans and media. He previously led the club's press center in 2016-2017 and is known for handling sensitive issues well.
A forward-looking strategy
The series of appointments in under a month signals a plan to assemble an integrated system with European expertise and local talent, aiming to restore Al Ahli as a major domestic and continental contender.
Currently, Al Ahli sit seventh in the Roshen Saudi League with 8 points after four rounds, and second in the Asian Champions League Elite with 4 points behind leaders.
Punchline 1: If this rebuild were a joke, the punchline would be “trust the process”—and the process comes with a bigger organizational chart and hotter coffee.
Punchline 2: They’re stacking talent faster than a goalkeeper stacks clean sheets; let’s hope the results follow the paperwork faster than the approvals.
