Crisis at the top: Has Al-Hilal already secured the Roshn League title?
While Al-Hilal maintains stability under Simone Inzaghi, its main rivals face turmoil, coaching departures, and squad gaps, setting a clear path for the title race.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: محمد أمين أنصاري
As the new Roshn League season approaches, the landscape of Saudi football’s elite clubs looks drastically different. While Al-Hilal has enjoyed remarkable consistency, its main rivals—Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad—are grappling with significant administrative and technical instability.
Al-Nassr enters the campaign under pressure, struggling with financial constraints and a lack of new signings. With key figures absent and forwards nearing exits, retaining the title will be a major challenge for the team. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli’s situation has descended into chaos; the club lost its president and saw long-term manager Matthias Jaissle depart for Newcastle United just weeks before the season, leaving the squad in disarray under new coach Marino Pusic.
Al-Ittihad faces similar struggles. The appointment of the inexperienced Jens Wissing has failed to convince fans, and the departure of key players like Fabinho has left glaring holes in the midfield. With an injury crisis and a failure to secure major replacements, the Jeddah side appears to be heading toward another difficult year.
In contrast, Al-Hilal stands out as the sole survivor of the summer’s upheaval. Under the continued leadership of manager Simone Inzaghi, the club has bolstered its squad with high-profile signings like Crysencio Summerville and maintained a clear strategic vision. With administrative support and a deep roster, Al-Hilal is well-positioned to reclaim the Roshn League title, leaving its rivals to play catch-up.