Al-Ahli has terminated Rui Pedro Braz's contract as sporting director following internal pressure from the club's playing squad. The Portuguese executive, who arrived at the Saudi Arabian giant last October, departed after a decisive intervention by players disappointed with recent performance and transfer strategy.
The Clasico Catalyst
The turning point came on Tuesday night when Al-Ahli suffered a 3-0 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Roshn League's third round at the Kingdom Arena. The heavy loss to their traditional Saudi rivals triggered an emergency players' meeting with executive management, during which squad members aired grievances about squad composition and tactical direction. Rather than defend his position, the board swiftly acted to remove Braz from the equation.
This Clasico result punctuated months of frustration. Braz had served barely four months in his role, yet already faced criticism over transfer decisions and how the squad was assembled for the 2024-25 campaign. The players' collective stance proved decisive—a rare moment where athlete power shaped boardroom decisions at one of Asia's most ambitious clubs.
Transition and Leadership Change
Al-Ahli wasted no time announcing the transition. Osama Hawsawi, previously Braz's assistant, has been promoted to assume full sporting director responsibilities. This internal promotion suggests continuity in strategic direction, though the symbolism of replacing the Portuguese official with a Saudi Arabian figure carries political weight in the Kingdom's footballing landscape.
Before joining Al-Ahli, Braz spent four years at Benfica, where he built a reputation as an influential figure in Portuguese football's transfer corridors. His exit from the Saudi Pro League marks a significant setback for foreign executives operating within the region's clubs, reinforcing that elite player voices carry considerable influence even in commercially driven organizations. Al-Ahli's next fixture will test whether this leadership shift improves results and squad morale.
