The turbulent wave of managerial changes continues in Saudi football, with the current 2025/26 Saudi Professional League season yet another chapter in the dismissal of coaches. Earlier on Sunday evening, Al-Najma Mario Silva , citing a string of poor results that had placed the team in a precarious position.

This decision comes amidst a dire results crisis plaguing Al-Najma, with statistics revealing the team's complete inability, under Mario Silva's leadership, to secure a single victory. In the 20 matches played this season in the Roshan League, the team suffered defeat in 15 and managed only five draws, leaving them at the bottom of the table with a meager five points. This dismal performance made the dismissal of Silva a widely anticipated outcome within the club, as they desperately sought a way to salvage the situation before it was too late.

Mario Silva's case is not unique in this difficult season; rather, it reflects the ongoing phenomenon of "coach dismissals" that has affected many big names. Silva is the fifth coach to be sacked this season, highlighting the immense pressure on coaching staff in the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention.

He was preceded on the list of departing coaches by four others whose names and histories were not enough to save them from the language of results:
1. Laurent Blanc (Al-Ittihad Club).
2. Michel Gonzalez (Al-Qadisiyah Club).
3. Javier Calleja (Al-Riyadh Club).
4. Paulo Sergio (Al-Akhdoud Club).

These successive dismissals reflect the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, where clubs strive by all means to maintain their position and avoid relegation, or to compete for top spots. Mid-season coaching changes are a double-edged sword, often used by club management to create a positive shock in the locker room and motivate players to return to winning ways. This is what Al-Najma's management hopes to achieve in the remaining rounds to salvage the team's season.

The medical staff of Al-Hilal Saudi Club officially announced the nature of the injury suffered by the Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, the guardian of the "Leader's" goal, which raised the concern of Al-Hilal fans after the team's last match against Al-Akhdoud in the previous round of the Roshan Professional League, which was held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

Details of Al-Hilal Club's official statement

In an official statement published on its verified Twitter account, the Riyadh-based club confirmed that Yassine Bounou underwent intensive treatment for his shoulder injury. The statement explained that the pain the Moroccan goalkeeper complained of necessitated rest and a rehabilitation program, meaning he will definitely miss the upcoming crucial match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE in the AFC Champions League.

The anticipated alternative and the challenge of the AFC Champions League for the elite

With the absence of the "Atlas Lion," all eyes are on goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie, who has become the first and most likely choice to defend Al-Hilal's goal in the Asian competition. Al-Rubaie faces a significant challenge in compensating for the absence of a goalkeeper of Bono's caliber and experience, especially in a tournament as prestigious as the AFC Champions League, a title Al-Hilal is determined to compete for strongly this season, aiming to extend its record as the most decorated club in Asia.

The importance of Yassine Bounou and the impact of his absence

The absence of Yassine Bounou is a significant blow to the team of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, given the immense value the goalkeeper has brought to the squad since joining from Sevilla. Bounou has been an impenetrable wall in goal and has directly contributed to Al-Hilal's consecutive victories, thanks to his extensive international experience and outstanding performances, both with his club and with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup. This injury comes at a crucial time in the season, with domestic and continental competitions overlapping, putting Al-Hilal's bench strength and the professionalism of its medical staff to the test in preparing the players and maintaining their winning streak.

Al-Hilal officials and players are striving to overcome the obstacle of absences and focus entirely on achieving victory and seizing the three points in the match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, to ensure a strong and stable start in the continental journey, and to please the blue fans who accept nothing less than gold as an alternative.

The technical staff of Al-Ittihad's first football team received a significant blow with the confirmed absence of French star Moussa Diaby from the team's group training sessions. This comes amidst the team's intensive preparations for their upcoming match against Qatari club Al-Gharafa. The match is part of the next round of the AFC Champions League, a tournament the club is prioritizing as they aim to compete for the continental title. The game is scheduled to take place at Al-Inma Stadium.

Regarding the player's medical condition, Moussa Diaby is currently undergoing an intensive rehabilitation and treatment program under the supervision of the club's medical staff, with the aim of recovering from his recent injury. Initial reports and on-field observations indicate that the French winger is likely to miss the upcoming match against Al-Gharafa, presenting the coaching staff with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement who can compensate for Diaby's speed and skill in attack.

The injury stems from the intense match Al-Ittihad played against their arch-rivals Al-Nassr in the last round of the Saudi Professional League, held at Al-Ittihad's home ground, Al-Ahli Park. Diaby suffered pain following the physical contact and high-tempo nature of that classic encounter, necessitating his rest and subsequent medical examinations, which confirmed his need for rest and rehabilitation before returning to the pitch.

The Al-Ittihad fanbase is experiencing a state of anticipation and anxiety, especially as the team seeks to appease its supporters after the recent disappointing domestic result. Al-Ittihad suffered a 2-0 defeat against Al-Nassr in their last match, played at Al-Ittihad Park, a loss that has cast a shadow over the team's morale. The upcoming match against Al-Gharafa takes on added importance, not only because it is part of the AFC Champions League, but also because it represents an opportunity to regain balance and return to winning ways. This makes the absence of a key player like Moussa Diaby a significant concern for the team's tactical plans at this crucial stage of the season.

The club's management and technical staff are working to prepare all available players to ensure a performance befitting the reputation of Saudi football in the Asian tournament, and to try to overcome the obstacle of Al-Gharafa despite the significant absences, in light of the fierce competition witnessed in the tournament with its new system.