Al Ahli are through a turbulent start to the 2026-27 season, and the debate around coach Marino Boskovic remains the defining storyline at the club. A run of poor early results, including defeats to Derbyshire, Abha, and Al Qadisiyah, fuelled loud public calls for his dismissal, with Saudi media programmes dedicating significant airtime to whether the Dutch coach should be replaced before the situation worsens. The comparison to his predecessor Matthias Jaissle, who won back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles before departing, has intensified scrutiny on Boskovic's methods and results.

The 3-1 win over Al Hazem on September 11 offered some relief. Ivan Toney, who leads the Saudi Pro League scoring charts with 10 goals, was central to the victory, and the result lifted Al Ahli to sixth place with 12 points from seven matches. It was a necessary boost, but one win has not quieted the wider concerns about the team's consistency and defensive fragility that critics have pointed to throughout the opening weeks.

Off the pitch, Riyad Mahrez has left the club following the summer window, and his absence has added to fan frustration given his role in both continental title runs. Marcelo Brozovic, linked with a move to Al Ahli after leaving Al Nassr, was ultimately rejected by the club.

Attention now turns to the AFC Champions League Elite, where Al Ahli host Pakhtakor Tashkent on September 14, defending their status as two-time reigning champions on the continental stage.