Remontada or Reality Check: Jaissle Under Fire After Al Ahli’s Comeback
29 November 2025
Remontada and rising criticism
Despite the remontada by Al Ahli Jeddah against Al Qadisiyah on Friday, German coach Matthias Jaissle continues to face fresh criticism that shadows the season. Al Ahli advanced to the King’s Cup semi-finals after a 5-4 penalties victory, having trailed 1-3 and finishing 3-3. The comeback was powered by the players’ resolve and by Jaissle’s timely substitutions that shifted the balance in the second half.
Yet Jaissle was not spared media scrutiny, notably from Ahmed Atief, a former Saudi international. He said the team returned to the match with spirit and determination, but the coach clearly erred in the first half. He added that the second half showed improvements, though he did not understand the choices made in the opening 45 minutes.
Atief pointed to Matteo Dams as a problematic pick, arguing the Belgian defender offered little—defensively fragile and not a significant offensive threat. He suggested Jaissle had other options and even questioned the rationale behind starting with players not meeting the standard to wear the Al Ahli shirt.
He went further, stating that if Jaissle personally insisted on Dams, the decision was an obvious misjudgment, especially in light of recent signings of two full-backs that seemed aimed at shoring up the defense rather than relying on one problematic option.
Speaking to television, Atief also recalled past calls for the club to part ways with the German coach, arguing that league success had eluded the team over the previous two seasons despite a talented squad. He cautioned that a continental triumph, while laudable, should not mask domestic inconsistency.
What has Jaissle delivered in cups?
Jaissle took charge of Al Ahli at the start of the 2023-2024 season and steered them to the AFC Champions League Elite by finishing third in the Roshen league. In the following season, he won the AFC Champions League for the club for the first time in its history, and the local Saudi Super Cup at the start of the current season via penalties against Al Nassr. Saudi press notes that Jaissle has a superb cup record, reflecting strength in knockout football.
Al-Riyadhiah reported that Jaissle has coached 20 cup matches in his career, 11 with Red Bull Salzburg and 9 with Al Ahli, posting 16 wins to 4 losses and capturing the Austrian Cup and the 2025 Saudi Super Cup. He has overseen 105 Al Ahli matches, with 66 wins, 18 draws, and 21 defeats.
A definite imprint
Since taking charge, Jaissle has reshaped Al Ahli’s footballing identity, from organization and defensive shape to pressing and attack-oriented transitions. His early work tightened the defense, narrowing gaps and reducing costly errors, while his structured pressing allowed quicker recoveries and disrupted opponents’ moves. In attack, the team has leaned on controlled buildup from the back, with midfielders linking play and wing-backs providing width, enabling a more diverse and balanced approach rather than relying on a single star.
The manager’s changes also brought tactical flexibility, with intelligent substitutions and adaptable player roles that helped the team swing momentum in several remontadas this season. His capability to extract the best from both starters and substitutes has built a deeper squad and stronger mental resolve. Overall, Jaissle has given Al Ahli a modern, disciplined identity and a competitive edge for major titles.
Punchline time: If the only thing sharper than Jaissle’s tactical notes were his post-match notes, we’d all need sunglasses to read them. Punchline two: in football as in comedy, timing is everything—and Jaissle seems to have mastered the art of delivering the punchline when the whistle sounds.
