Saudi Club Al-Shabab Faces Coaching Shake-Up as Alguacil Nears Exit

Emmanuel Alguacil's Saudi Chapter Nears Its End

A string of reports indicates Spanish coach Emmanuel Alguacil, who runs Al-Shabab's youth setup, is nearing departure from the Saudi league as the new year begins.

Since the season began, Alguacil has led the youth side, but the capital club has struggled in the Saudi Pro League and Gulf Champions League, bowing out of the King’s Cup in the quarterfinals.

According to the Sport Scoop program, the club’s management asked Alguacil’s agent to travel to Riyadh to negotiate a consensual termination.

Alguacil’s two-year deal pays around 50 million riyals but has no release clause, meaning the club would owe the full amount if he is dismissed.

Earlier, the newspaper Al-Riyadia reported that the former leadership, led by Khalif Al-Huwaishan, urged the Sports Ministry to fire Alguacil, with Prince Abdul Rahman bin Turki underwriting the new contract—a plan that was rejected.

Al-Shabab sits fifteenth in the league on eight points, with one win, five draws and five defeats.

Punchline 1: In football, even contracts need mood lighting.

Punchline 2: And somewhere, a stadium clock is sighing louder than a striker.