Al Ahli are building momentum at a critical point of the season, but the club's situation off the pitch is generating as much attention as results on it. The 2-1 win over Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite was a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions for Marino Busichs side, moving them into second place in the West group standings. That run of form has steadily quieted speculation about Busich's future, with club sources confirming the decision on his contract will rest with the incoming sporting director rather than being made unilaterally by the board.

The most pressing concern surrounding the club is Ivan Toney. The English striker leads the Saudi Pro League scoring charts with 13 goals and has been directly linked with a return to the Premier League with Newcastle United, the club that also poached former manager Matthias Jaissle in the summer. Al Ahli's management has responded by opening formal contract renewal talks with Toney, with sources insisting there are no concrete offers from any club and that the player has shown full commitment to staying.

The injury situation remains a significant challenge. Seven players missed the Gharafa match, including Merih Demiral, Edouard Mendy, and Winderson Galeno, placing real strain on squad depth. With a Saudi Pro League visit to Al Shabab coming on October 30, Busich will need his available players to maintain the form that has steadied the ship in recent weeks.