The instability plaguing the Saudi Professional League continued into the 2025/2026 season, with the latest in a series of managerial dismissals. In the most recent development, the board of Al-Riyadh Club announced on Wednesday the official termination of their contract with Uruguayan coach Daniel Carreño, a move aimed at getting the team back on track.

The club's management acted swiftly in finding a replacement, appointing Brazilian coach Mauricio Dulac to lead the first team, replacing Carreno, according to an official statement. This move comes at a critical time, as the team, currently in 16th place with only 12 points, prepares to host Al-Khaleej on Saturday afternoon in the 22nd round of matches – a must-win game for the Central Region side.

The phenomenon of dismissals: historical context and increasing pressures

The constant turnover of coaching staff is not a new phenomenon in Saudi football; rather, it is a prominent feature reflecting the intense competition and the urgent desire of club management to achieve immediate results. With the significant transformation of the Saudi league, the influx of massive investments, and the attraction of world-class players, expectations have risen unprecedentedly, placing the head coach's position under constant scrutiny regarding results. Neither fans nor management are willing to accept half-measures or long-term projects that fail to deliver league points.

List of victims in the 2025/2026 season

Carreno's dismissal was not an isolated incident, but rather the seventh this season, highlighting the fierce competition and the difficulty of the task facing managers. A long list of prominent names preceded Carreno, most notably:

• Al-Ittihad Club: Sacked Frenchman Laurent Blanc (who achieved 35 wins in 46 matches) and signed Portuguese Sergio Conceicao.
• Al-Qadisiyah Club: Dismissed the services of Spaniard Michel Gonzalez (despite achieving 48 wins in 78 matches) and replaced him with Irishman Brendan Rodgers.
• Damac FC: Recently dismissed Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista after achieving only one win in 21 matches, and signed Saudi League expert Fabio Carille.
• Al-Akhdoud Club: terminated its relationship with Portuguese coach Paulo Sergio and hired Romanian coach Marius Sumudica.
• Al-Riyadh Club (formerly): had dismissed Spaniard Javier Calleja at the beginning of the season before signing Carreno, who has now joined him.

The wave of changes also included Al-Najma Club, which announced the termination of the contract of Portuguese coach Mario Silva after a series of negative results that put the team at the bottom of the standings with only five points, without achieving any victory in 20 matches.

Number meanings and their impact

The statistics accompanying the careers of the dismissed coaches indicate a great difference in the reasons; while some were dismissed due to disastrous poor results, such as Carreno, who did not achieve any victory in 12 matches with Al-Riyadh (4 draws and 8 losses), others left despite having a relatively good numerical record, indicating that the criteria for remaining in the Roshan League have gone beyond just winning, to include technical performance, the ability to manage stars, and keeping up with the rapid development of the competition, which has become the focus of the world’s attention.

The organizing committee for the Asian Road Cycling Championships "Al-Qassim 2026" held its technical meeting today for the Paralympic road race, a crucial step before the official start of the competition. The meeting was attended by a large number of accredited international referees, as well as representatives of the participating teams and national squads. This meeting is part of the intensive preparations for the start of this important category in the championships, which are being hosted by the Al-Qassim region and are attracting significant media and public attention.

The technical meeting addressed a range of precise organizational and technical aspects related to the races. The final approved routes were reviewed, and all competition rules and regulations were discussed to ensure everyone understood the rules. The meeting also included a detailed presentation of the championship system and its rigorous implementation during the races, with particular emphasis on the Paralympic classifications. This review aims to guarantee the highest standards of competitive fairness among participants, in accordance with the international regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI), thus contributing to a well-organized and safe competitive environment that protects athletes' well-being and allows them to perform at their best.

In a related context, this event holds significant strategic importance that transcends its status as a mere sporting competition. Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Asian Cycling Championships "Al-Qassim 2026" directly reflects the unwavering support the sports sector receives under the Kingdom's Vision 2030. In recent years, the Kingdom has successfully positioned itself as a global destination for hosting major sporting events across various disciplines, thus solidifying its leading position on the continental and international sporting map. The Al-Qassim region, with its outstanding infrastructure and favorable geographical terrain, is an ideal venue for road cycling races, contributing to the region's tourism and cultural promotion.

On a technical and sporting level, the focus on Paralympic races sends a powerful message, underscoring the Asian Federation and the Organizing Committee's commitment to the principles of inclusion and inclusivity in sports. It provides an opportunity for athletes with disabilities to showcase their exceptional abilities at a major continental event. This meeting is part of a series of technical meetings held in conjunction with the championship, aimed at ensuring complete readiness across all organizational and technical aspects. The goal is to deliver a distinguished and exceptional edition that reflects the remarkable progress of Saudi sports and affirms the ability of national personnel to manage and organize major Asian events with high professionalism.

The excitement and strong competition continued on the seventh day of the Asian Road Cycling Championship “Al-Qassim 2026” , hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the roads surrounding the Al-Qassim region witnessed a high tactical and physical struggle between the elite cyclists of the Asian continent, amidst an enthusiastic atmosphere and a large audience reflecting the growing interest in cycling in the region.

The highlight of the day was the elite men's individual road race, a grueling 156km course demanding high endurance and precise strategies from the participating teams. Kazakhstan's Yevgeny Fedorov , claiming the gold medal with a time of 3:25:17, further cementing Kazakhstan's prominent position on the Asian and global cycling map. The race was fiercely contested until the final meters, with China's Su Haoyu finishing second and securing the silver medal with a time of 3:25:20, just three seconds behind the leader. Arab cyclists also made a strong showing, with Emirati Abdullah Jassim Al Ali claiming the bronze medal in third place with a time of 3:26:21.

In the Paralympic Games, the 2.6km mixed team race was held, and the Thai team dominated. Team Thailand (1) secured the gold medal and first place with a time of 00:50:31, reflecting the significant progress in Paralympic athlete training programs in East Asia. The South Korean team came in second, winning the silver medal with a time of 00:50:40, while the Thai team (Thailand 2) reaffirmed its superiority by taking third place and the bronze medal with a time of 01:04:27.

The hosting of this major continental event in the Qassim region is part of the broader sporting movement underway in Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's position as a global destination for major sporting events. The Qassim region boasts diverse terrain and well-maintained roads, providing an ideal environment for road cycling races. This contributes to raising the technical level of the competitors and showcases Saudi Arabia's organizational capabilities in managing international championships to the highest standards.

This championship is of particular importance as it brings together the continent's best cyclists and serves as a crucial platform for evaluating performance and developing national teams in preparation for upcoming world and Olympic competitions. Furthermore, the results achieved, especially the Arab presence on the podium, provide a positive indication of the development of cycling in the Gulf countries and their ability to compete with traditional Asian powerhouses such as Kazakhstan, China, and Japan.

The championship competitions will continue in the coming days according to the approved schedule, as fans look forward to more exciting races in various categories, until the conclusion of the event on February 13, amid expectations of more records and surprises.