Matthias Jaissle Leads Al-Ahli to Asian Champions League Victory

Matthias Jaissle has led Al-Ahli to their first Asian Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale, highlighting his successful coaching stint in Saudi Arabia.

Coach Matthias Jaissle has secured a significant title for Al-Ahli in Asian club football. The former professional player from TSG Hoffenheim guided the Saudi Arabian team to victory in the Champions League, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 (2-0). This marks Al-Ahli’s first title in the Asian elite competition, celebrated in front of 60,000 fans in Jeddah.

With two assists from Roberto Firmino, who also previously played for Hoffenheim, Al-Ahli scored before halftime through Galeno, who was acquired in January for approximately 50 million euros from FC Porto, and Franck Kessie. Firmino was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player following the final.

The 37-year-old Jaissle moved to the Saudi Professional League from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2023. Recently, there had been speculation about him potentially taking over the coaching position at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig for the new season.