The management of Al-Shabab Saudi Club officially announced the termination of the contract with Croatian coach Igor Pescan and his assistant technical staff by mutual consent between the two parties, in a surprising move aimed at correcting the course of the first football team in light of the decline in results during the Saudi Professional League competitions.
In an effort to ensure immediate stability, the club's management has appointed national coach Saad Al-Subaie, the youth team coach, to lead the first team on an interim basis. Al-Subaie and his assistants will be responsible for overseeing the team in its upcoming crucial match, tasked with restoring the players' morale and securing a positive result.
Context of the decision and its historical background
The decision to dismiss Bishkan comes after a short tenure of just a few months, having been appointed in October 2023 to succeed Dutch coach Marcel Keizer. Despite high hopes for improving the team's performance, the results fell short of the expectations of both the management and the fans, with the team suffering from inconsistent performances and a decline in the league standings. Historically, Al-Shabab, nicknamed "The Sheikh of Clubs," is known as one of the giants of Saudi Arabian football, boasting numerous domestic and continental achievements. This consistently raises expectations and makes coaching changes crucial for maintaining the club's competitive edge.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
Domestically, this change is an attempt to salvage the team's season in the Roshan League, which has become more competitive than ever with the influx of international stars. The management hopes this decision will serve as a "positive shock," motivating the players to perform at their best in the remaining matches of the season. Regionally, the stability of major Saudi clubs like Al-Shabab reflects positively on the overall strength of Saudi football in Asian competitions. The club's management is expected to immediately begin the search for a new international coach with a strong track record and experience managing major leagues, to take over permanently and lead the club's future project – a development eagerly anticipated by the Saudi sports community.
