Published Date: 2025-05-03 11:10:33 Updated At: 2025-05-03 11:10:33

Spanish reports have revealed a surprising development regarding the future of Al Hilal Saudi Arabia's coaching position. It has been reported that the club plans to hire the renowned Spanish coach Xavi Hernández to take over as head coach of the first team following the departure of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. Al Hilal's management decided to sack Jesus after the team's unexpected exit from the AFC Champions League, where they lost to Al Ahli Jeddah in a thrilling semi-final match. This resulted in technical changes within the Saudi club.

Al Hilal Places Trust in Xavi for a New Challenge

According to a report published by Spanish newspaper "Sport," Xavi's name has been strongly considered among the potential candidates to take over Al Hilal's managerial duties in the coming period. The Saudi club believes Xavi is the ideal choice due to his successful coaching history in European football, especially after his distinguished stint with Barcelona, as well as his experience in the Arab region when he coached Qatari club Al Sadd.

Al Hilal is currently focusing on the major challenges ahead, most notably their participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they are placed in Group H alongside giant clubs such as Spanish Real Madrid, Austrian Salzburg, and Mexican Pachuca. Therefore, Al Hilal's management sees Xavi as having the necessary experience to guide the team towards success in these significant international competitions, especially with his vast coaching background at the highest level.

Could Xavi Lead Al Hilal to a New Era?

It is worth mentioning that Xavi has not ruled out the idea of working in Saudi Arabia and previously confirmed that he is considering a new challenge in the summer of 2025, making Al Hilal's offer particularly attractive to him. Xavi is one of the most experienced coaches in global football and has previously managed Al Sadd before returning to Barcelona to lead the Catalan club during a difficult period.

Although Xavi has received several offers from top European clubs like English Tottenham and German Bayer Leverkusen, the offer from Al Hilal appears to be the closest option for him at this moment, especially considering the challenges the Saudi club faces both domestically and internationally.

Al Hilal's Domestic and International Challenges

Al Hilal is one of the largest clubs in Asia, with a rich history of achievements and titles, both domestically and in international competitions. The club aims to strengthen its position in the Saudi Pro League and prepare intensively for the AFC Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Xavi, known for his attacking football philosophy, is likely to implement strategies that will enhance Al Hilal's technical and physical strength on the international stage.

Sacking Jorge Jesus and Appointing Al-Shalhoub as Interim Leader

Following the disappointing exit from the AFC Champions League, Al Hilal's management decided to sack coach Jorge Jesus due to the team's failure to achieve the expected results in the continental tournament. To ensure stability in the team during this transitional period, former player Mohamed Al-Shalhoub was appointed as the interim head coach until a new foreign manager is hired. Al-Shalhoub, a legendary figure in Al Hilal's history, is considered the ideal temporary solution for leading the team and guiding the players through this phase.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal's management continues to search for a new world-class coach capable of leading the team to more titles. While various options are being considered, hiring Xavi has become a top priority for the club, especially with growing speculation that the deal is close to being finalized.

Xavi's Relationship with European and Arab Teams

Xavi Hernández, who began his coaching career after retiring from football, achieved positive results in his time at Al Sadd, winning several domestic titles. Although he didn't replicate the same level of success in Europe with Barcelona, he has a long history as a player known for promoting collective play and short passing. Therefore, his upcoming experience with Al Hilal will be a new challenge for him, but he possesses the qualities that make him a suitable coach for the Saudi giants.

In conclusion, Al Hilal is striving to benefit from the expertise of world-class coaches to restore their prestige on the international stage and achieve new successes worthy of their rich history. With expectations that Xavi could be the coach to lead the team back to the top, all eyes are on the club's official announcement regarding the hiring of the renowned Spanish coach.