Al Ahli are in a state of significant off-pitch upheaval as the summer transfer window approaches its Saudi deadline, with the club confirming the dismissal of Portuguese sporting director Rui Pedro Baraz and appointing Osama Hawsawi in his place. The decision, announced on September 3, came after sustained pressure from fans and players alike. Several squad members had publicly aligned with supporters in criticising Baraz, accusing him of creating a negative atmosphere within the dressing room and making poor recruitment decisions, including allowing experienced players to leave without adequate replacements. The departure of Frank Kessie, who returned to Atalanta, has drawn particular criticism, with fans unhappy that a 19-year-old Monaco midfielder, Babi Cabral, has been linked as a potential replacement.

On the pitch, the situation is no less concerning. A 3-0 defeat to Al Hilal on September 1 left Al Ahli eighth in the Saudi Pro League with six points from four games, and coach Marino Busitsch sparked further controversy at his pre-match press conference by appearing to downplay the scale of that loss. The team's inconsistency under Busitsch, who replaced Matthias Jaissle, has raised questions about the club's direction as they prepare to host Al Riyadh on September 4.

With the Saudi transfer window closing on September 6, the club is also in talks to sign Senegalese midfielder Alpha Toure from Metz for around $5 million. Al Ahli are the reigning two-time AFC Champions League Elite holders, but the early-season turbulence suggests defending that title will be a considerable challenge.