Tactical Tweaks: Meet the managers masterminding new RSL eras

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Saudi Pro League

16 July 2026

A new season means new directions, with a number of Roshn Saudi League clubs changing managers as they look to chart a fresh path - one that they hope will lead to success.

We take a look at the eight head coaches seeking to add new life into their respective sides heading into

the 2026-27 RSL

The highest-profile appointment of the summer so far

, the former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur manager has big shoes to fill after Jorge Jesus left after only one season at the capital club -

but one in which he ended Al Nassr’s seven-year RSL title drought

Postecoglou is famous for “always winning things in his second season”

, but with the top-flight trophy to defend and a star-studded line-up that will probably be augmented, fans will be hoping he can also deliver in his first.

Known for his ultra-aggressive style of play, Al Nassr will be nothing if not entertaining to watch this season.

Having seen

the success crosstown rivals Al Ahli have had with a young German coach

, Al Ittihad have decided to get in on the act, poaching Wissing from AFC Champions League Two winners,

Gamba Osaka

The similarities with Matthias Jaissle are hard to ignore. Both are 38, both spent time within the Red Bull environment at Red Bull Salzburg, and they even faced one another in the Bundesliga during their playing days.

Ironically, Wissing’s time at Red Bull Salzburg was as assistant to Thomas Letsch - who has just been appointed as manager of Al Shabab.

The experienced German is

the fifth manager through the gates at Al Shabab in only two years

- a revolving door the Riyadh side hope will stop.

With experience across Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, Letsch is another to come from the Red Bull stable, having worked at both Red Bull Salzburg and their sister club, FC Liefering.

He has some exposure to the RSL, in fact, when he coached Salzburg

against Al Hilal at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup

, earning a 0-0 draw in Washington.

After earning promotion to the RSL for the first time in their history, Al Diriyah are looking to make a splash this season -

and the appointment of Lage is certainly a statement of intent

The 50-year-old arrives after two successful stints in charge of Portuguese giants Benfica, either side of time working in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he was once named Manager of the Month.

It was in the English midlands that Lage coached

a certain Ruben Neves as the now-Al Hilal star

made his way in the Premier League.

Former Benfica manager Bruno Lage is the man to guide Al Diriyah's historic RSL campaign

Another manager joining the RSL after an impressive time in Japan is Papas, who was one of the standout managers the top tier’s 100-Year Vision League, guiding

Cerezo Osaka

to a third-placed finish.

The Australian is no stranger to Al Ettifaq, having been an assistant to Dutchman Eelco Schattorie at the tail end of the 2016-17 campaign, in which he helped keep the East Coast club up after a tough relegation battle.

A former assistant of Postecoglou, like Wissing and Thomas Letsch, Papas is another “apprentice” that will come up against his former master this season.

Trying to replace Pericles Chamusca at Al Taawoun is no easy feat,

especially given all the Brazilian achieved across two spells at the club

This season, that task falls to Lazetic, who arrives after a successful stint in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv. There, the Serbian captured the league in his first season and guided the club into the UEFA Europa League, before finishing third in his second term.

That continental experience could prove valuable as Al Taawoun manage

campaigns in both the league and AFC Champions League Two this season

Although the Brazilian couldn’t quite keep Damac in the division last season -

he was given 14 matches to do so

- that didn’t put off Al Fayha when they sought a replacement for Pedro Emanuel.

In steps Carille, who even at age 52 has built up plenty of experience - intriguingly, in the RSL as well. Not only has he managed Damac, but the former defender coached Al Wehda for a brief spell in 2018 and then Al Ittihad for a season and a half from 2020.

The Jeddah giants actually finished third and then second during that time. So Carille's calibre is evident.

No stranger to the RSL,

Gomes replaces Gus Poyet

, who was parachuted into the role for the final rounds of the season after

Georgios Donis took up the job with the Saudi Arabia national team

Gomes has extensive history in Saudi Arabia, having coached at Al Taawoun across three separate spells, as well as a brief period in charge of Al Ahli.

His most recent role was managing Al Fateh,

when the Portuguese came in and miraculously saved the club from the brink in the 2024-25 RSL

. Gomes then guided Al Fateh to 11th last term.

Pedro Emanuel becomes latest Portuguese manager in Brazil with Vasco da Gama move

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