Al Ahli are navigating one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, with a managerial situation that remains unresolved just days before their biggest fixture of the month. Coach Marino Bositic is under intense pressure following a run of poor results, most notably a 6-1 thrashing by Al Shabab in Roshn Saudi League matchweek 12. Fan campaigns calling for his dismissal have grown louder since that defeat, yet as of November 13, the club has not finalised his exit. According to Al Riyadiyah, the club is working to end Bositic's contract before the November 20 Clasico against Al Nassr, but current indications suggest he will take charge of that match.

The situation has exposed deeper problems off the pitch. Journalist Faisal Zaid highlighted a significant administrative vacuum at the club, pointing out that Al Ahli sent an operations director and a commercial executive to represent them in the league's scheduling meeting, with no sporting director or football department leadership in place. That absence contributed directly to the controversy over the November 20 date, which falls just 24 hours after the Asian Football Confederation awards ceremony in Bangkok, where striker Firas Al-Buraikan is a leading candidate for Asian Player of the Year.

On the field, Al Ahli sit sixth in the Saudi Pro League with 21 points from 11 games, nine points behind leaders Al Hilal. Their last outing was a 0-0 draw against Al-Sadd in the AFC Champions League Elite. The Clasico against Al Nassr at King Abdullah Sports City now arrives at a moment when clarity, both technical and administrative, is what the club needs most.