South Africa’s most successful club coach, Pitso Mosimane has resigned from his role as Al Ahli head coach.
The South African tactician led the “sleeping giants” back into the Saudi Pro League after they were relegated for the first time in the club’s history last season.
He was appointed as new Al Ahli coach in September 2022 and took over the club sitting in seventh position after five games, and accomplished his mission with four games to spare, while also securing the Yelo League title.
However, there were whispers that the club would part ways with the coach, despite this incredible achievement, as reported by iDiski Times last month.
On Thursday, Mosimane confirmed his resignation via a statement, as first reported by SABC Sport.
Al Ahli have since been taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), who own a 80% share in Premier League side Newcastle United.
Along with the other three founding members of the Saudi Pro League – Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, PIF will now control 75% of Al Ahli, with those four clubs linked with a huge cash injection.
After Al Nassr secured Cristiano Ronaldo in January, and Al Ittihad signed Karim Benzema this window, Al Ahli have also been linked with several big-name players such Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergio Ramos and Riyad Mahrez, even though the club is currently under a transfer ban.
Meanwhile, Mosimane was left in limbo as the club were understood to only look at contractual matters once the take-over is completed, while president Walid Moaz cryptically stated “the ambition is greater” despite Mosimane fulfilling his mandates.
During a recent trip to South Africa, ‘Jingles’ revealed that he and his technical team haven’t been paid by the Jeddah giants since January and tension rose when Mosimane’s players walked out of the club’s title celebrations, which left Mosimane visibly stunned.
While talk from inside the club claimed they won’t activate a one-year extension clause in his contract, Mosimane had argued that such clause got automatically activated when he secured promotion.
Overall, Mosimane has picked up 18 wins, seven draws and three defeats in 28 games during his time in charge of Al Ahli.
Pitso Mosimane has also been linked to Kaizer Chiefs Football Club after the club is still looking for a replacement for Kaizer Chiefs Football Club Head Coach Arthur Zwane whose contract is yet to be terminated but the club is looking onto give him a new role.
