Al Ahli Jeddah’s Bold Ambition: Titles for All Contests, and a Budget That Speaks Softly
16 November 2025
The Ambition to Compete for All Titles
Khalid Al-Ghamdi, president of Al Ahli Saudi FC, made clear the club intends to challenge for every competition on the schedule this season. In a televised interview, he praised the leadership for driving the team forward and said the aim is to compete for all trophies and to win them, beginning with the Saudi Super Cup.
Al-Ghamdi stressed that Al Ahli maintains a balanced financial position, noting that what has been achieved on the field does not fully reflect the level of spending. He described ongoing improvement as a cornerstone of the club’s governance and emphasized the leadership’s commitment to addressing mistakes and pursuing further success.
He concluded with a firm message: there will be no retreat from the quest for the top honors and nothing but joy for the club’s loyal supporters.
Strategic Moves, Cup Talk, and the Budget Balance
In recent days there were strong rumors about the Saudi Football Federation considering restoring the Saudi Super Cup final, which Al Ahli had claimed. The club’s legal adviser, Ayman Al-Rifa'i, dismissed the idea, stating it is not on the table. He warned that canceling the competition could trigger commercial issues with sponsors, making a rematch legally unfeasible.
Meanwhile, former youth star Ahmed Oteif suggested that triumphs in the AFC Champions League Elite do not necessarily position the club as the undisputed favorite this season, arguing that the King Cup remains a tougher benchmark. He contended that Al Ahli should target multiple trophies, including the league, and insisted that stability must be tied to tangible results. He added that five years with a single trophy is not satisfactory for the club’s supporters.
Oteif pointed to Jaissle’s role in steering Al Ahli toward the Elite Champions but noted the King Cup exit against a second-division side as a troubling signal. He argued that while the Elite competition is prestigious, the King Cup remains a critical test; a big club should not focus on one trophy alone.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal’s decision to skip the Saudi Super Cup in July 2025, citing time constraints after their FIFA Club World Cup run in the United States, opened space for others to pursue glory.
On the commercial front, Al Ahli announced a strategic step to broaden its revenue base. Amir Toufic, the club’s Chief Executive of Commercial Operations, told the press that talks with a new sponsor extended over the past two months and have now produced a four-year deal. The plan is to diversify income, boost financial sustainability, and enhance the matchday experience through varied marketing and fan engagement initiatives, including upcoming seasonal tickets and bundled offers.
The Mendy Renewal and the Road Ahead
Turning to the squad, Al Ahli is close to extending the contract of Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with management signaling intent to keep him at the club beyond next summer. The Saudi daily Al-Riyadia reported that the club opened discussions with Mendy’s agent to gauge his terms and preferences before formal negotiations begin.
As the club plots its next steps, the balance between ambition and sustainability remains at the heart of the dialogue, with leadership keen on maintaining momentum while protecting financial stability.
Punchline time: If trophies paid the bills, Al Ahli would own a stadium with its own ATM. And the budget is so balanced it could walk a tightrope between a title and a sponsorship deal with zero slips.
