Mario Silva sacked as coach of Al-Najma and El Maestro appointed as his replacement
The board of directors of Al-Najma FC announced in an official statement the termination of the contractual relationship with the first team's head coach, Portuguese Mario Silva, and his coaching staff. This decisive decision came after a series of poor results that plagued the team since the start of the current season in the Saudi Professional League. The administration thanked the coach for his time with the club and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Shocking figures hastened the departure
The dismissal came as no surprise to those following Saudi sports, as Al-Najma had suffered a sharp decline in performance and results. Statistics indicate that Silva led the team in 22 matches this season, managing only one victory – a King's Cup win against Damac. In the league, the situation was disastrous, with the team suffering 16 losses and 5 draws, failing to secure a single win, leaving them in a precarious position in the standings.
From hero of the rise to oust
Mario Silva's departure carries a dramatic weight, as he was the coach who led Al-Najma to a historic achievement last season, securing promotion from the "Yellow" First Division to the "Roshen" Premier League. However, the significant challenges posed by the professional league, coupled with the disparity in competition and player quality between the two divisions, revealed a technical gap that the Portuguese coach was unable to bridge. This rendered his previous successes insufficient to secure their survival amidst a continuous loss of points.
El Maestro... the new lifeline
In a swift move to rectify the situation before it's too late, Al-Najma's management announced the immediate appointment of British coach Nestor El Maestro to take over the team's technical direction for the upcoming period. This step comes as part of the management's "rectifying course" plan to pull the team out of its losing streak and attempt to remain in the professional league.
El Maestro is no stranger to Saudi football, possessing prior experience that could prove crucial in his quick adaptation. He previously coached Al-Taawoun between 2020 and 2022, leading the "Sugar Boys" in 12 matches, achieving 6 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses. Al-Najma fans are counting on the new coach's experience and strong personality to create a positive atmosphere in the dressing room, which will translate into improved performances on the pitch in the remaining league matches.
