Shabab's Bold Gamble: Can Alguacil Turn the Tide?

Trust Remains Amid Setbacks

The management of Al Shabab Saudi Club has decided to close the chapter on speculation about the fate of Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil after a string of disappointing results early in the Roshen Pro League.

According to the Saudi daily Al-Riyadiya, the club held an extended meeting with the coach to discuss the reasons for the decline in form and the team’s fluctuating performances as they sit 12th with four points after four rounds.

During the gathering, the club reaffirmed its full backing of Alguacil, renewing confidence in his tactical abilities, and agreed that a rough start stems from circumstances beyond control: injuries to key players, late arrivals of new signings, and the need for more time to build cohesion and stabilize the playing style.

Uneven Results and a Complex Start

Despite the setback, the management believes the project requires time and patience, especially given the club's ongoing transition following rapid administrative changes and a delayed preseason.

They also stressed the importance of turning results around quickly in the Saudi Pro League, noting that the fans have voiced frustration and are demanding the fighting spirit that characterized the team in previous seasons.

A Building Project Led by Alguacil

Alguacil is one of the most respected Spanish coaches known for discipline and a methodical approach. He began his coaching career in Real Sociedad’s youth ranks in 2014, took charge of the first team in March 2019, and guided them to a historic Copa del Rey in 2020 against Athletic Bilbao.

He then steered Real Sociedad to fourth place in La Liga in the 2022-23 season and fifth in 2020-21, along with repeated European qualifications. This successful track record helped persuade Al Shabab to hire him on a two-year contract financed from the club’s revenues.

He took over Shabab amid major challenges. Preseason started late compared with other league clubs, and the squad was far from fully settled, with a lack of harmony and cohesion between veterans and new arrivals. He faced some criticism from fans who argued his approach was overly defensive, a claim he dismissed after a 1-0 win over Al Hazm in Round 2, explaining that his philosophy is inherently offensive, not merely pragmatic.

Despite the criticism, the board remains convinced that Alguacil can lead a comprehensive rebuild aimed at restoring Shabab’s status among Saudi football’s elite.

Gulf Championship as a Path Back to Glory?

For decades, Al Shabab has shined in Saudi football, boasting stars and a cabinet of domestic and continental trophies. However, their last major title dates back to 2014, and changes off the pitch have kept the club in a cycle of reinvention.

Fans now look to the Gulf Club Championship as the platform to regain confidence and re-enter the title picture. A recent draw with Oman’s Al Nahda aside, Shabab still has a strong chance in Group B, which also includes Al Rayyan of Qatar and Hadramout of Yemen.

Matches against Hadramout on Oct 21 and a visit to Al Rayyan on Nov 5 loom large as the club eyes top spot and a deep run in the tournament.

Off-the-field Momentum: A Historic Investment

Beyond the pitch, Shabab is undergoing a major administrative and financial transformation, as it nears what industry sources call a landmark investment deal with a leading company, alongside Al Riyadh Club, according to Okaz.

The deal would be among the largest in the club’s history and sits within the broader Saudi push toward sports privatization, with expected financial support and strategic benefits that could strengthen player recruitment and facility development in coming seasons.

Investors’ backing could amplify transfers and upgrade infrastructure, signaling a new era for the club and a potential blueprint for others in the Kingdom.

Punchline 1: If patience were a tactic, Shabab’s game plan would win the league by waiting for the defense to forget how to track back. Punchline 2: If this rebuild had a soundtrack, it would be played in slow motion—with occasional crescendos when the ball finally hits the back of the net.