The current season of the Saudi Professional League an exceptional period of intense competition, with coaches' benches becoming a hotbed of pressure where mistakes are unacceptable. The Saudi league is no longer just a local competition; it has become a global spectacle thanks to massive investments and the influx of world-class players. This has raised expectations for both club management and fans, making "immediate results" the sole criterion for survival.
The context of transformations and their impact on artistic stability
Historically, Saudi football has seen frequent changes in coaching staff, but what is happening this season reflects a radical shift in the professional mindset. The pressure is no longer limited to domestic competition; it has extended to the desire to project an image befitting the league's status among the top 10 leagues in the world. This immense pressure has made patience a rare commodity, with administrations dismissing eight coaches so far, a scene that reflects the intensity of the competition and the burning desire to get back on track before it's too late.
These dismissals indicate that the survival of the fittest equation is now governed by the language of strict numbers, without regard to any previous record of achievements, which was clearly evident in the list of those leaving, which included names that had achieved historic titles.
List of departing coaches and their detailed numbers
The following is a comprehensive overview of the coaches who have left the scene, and the statistics that hastened their departure:
1. Laurent Blanc – Al Ittihad
The departure of Frenchman Laurent Blanc was the biggest shock of the season. Despite signing a contract extending to the 2024/25 season and achieving a historic double (league and King's Cup), the club's management decided to terminate the relationship after the fourth round of the 2025/26 season.
- Matches: 46 matches
- Victories: 35 victories
- Draws: 5 draws
- Losses: 6 losses
- Goals: 108 for / 51 against
2. Javier Calleja – Riyadh
Spaniard Javier Calleja was unable to last long, as he was dismissed after the eighth round due to poor results.
- Matches: 10 matches
- Victories: 3 victories
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 5 losses
- Goals: 10 for / 19 against
3. Daniel Carreno – Riyadh
The Uruguayan took over from Calleja in the ninth round, but failed to achieve any victory until he was dismissed in the 21st round.
- Matches: 12 matches
- Victories: 0
- Draws: 4
- Losses: 8 losses
- Goals: 9 for / 23 against
4. Michelle Gonzalez – Al-Qadisiyah
Despite leading Al-Qadisiyah to promotion and achieving second place in the Cup, exiting from the quarter-finals of the King's Cup in the 2025/2026 season marked the end of his journey.
- Matches: 78 matches
- Victories: 48 wins
- Draws: 12
- Losses: 18 losses
- Goals: 148 for / 86 against
5. Paulo Sergio – The Groove
The Portuguese Paulo Sergio left his post after the 13th round due to poor defensive results.
- Matches: 26 matches
- Victories: 7 victories
- Losses: 14 losses
- Goals: 21 for / 44 against
6. Mario Silva – The Star
He led the team to the professional league, but failed to achieve any victories in the Roshan League, and was dismissed after round 21.
- Matches: 58 matches (in total)
- Victories: 22 wins
- Losses: 26 losses
- Season record: Zero wins in the Roshan League
7. Armando Evangelista – Damac
The Portuguese team's journey ended after round 21, having achieved only one victory throughout the entire period.
- Matches: 21 matches
- Victories: One win
- Draws: 9
- Losses: 11 losses
8. Emmanuel Algawasel – Youth
Despite high hopes, Al Shabab ended their association with the Spanish coach after round 22 due to fluctuating performance.
- Matches: 29 matches
- Victories: 6 victories
- Draws: 11
- Losses: 12 losses
- Goals: 34 for / 46 against
In conclusion, these figures confirm that the Roshan League has become an arena that only recognizes current achievements, and that technical stability has become the most difficult challenge facing club administrations in light of the frantic race for titles.
