Arne Slot could benefit from Eddie Howe's departure at Newcastle after the former Liverpool boss was reportedly shortlisted for the Al-Ahli job.
Slot in frame for Saudi move
Howe has walked away from Newcastle after five years in charge and the Magpies have already lined up his replacement. Newcastle have identified Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle as the man to step into Howe's shoes on Tyneside ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The club have been working on a succession plan for the past few weeks, with discontent growing behind the scenes. And the fact they are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - who also own Al-Ahli - has seen Jaissle in position to move to the Premier League.
Slot's alternatives
Slot has been in talks to succeed Ronald Koeman as the next Netherlands boss. But he could move to Saudi Arabia instead, with talkSPORT reporting that Slot is a candidate to replace Jaissle at Al-Ahli.
Slot was sacked by Liverpool in May following the conclusion of a disappointing season campaign at the club. He was approached by Fulham over succeeding Marco Silva, but rejected the opportunity, with Alvaro Arbeloa eventually taking the job instead.
Other contenders
Former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira is also a contender for the Al-Ahli role. He has experience in Saudi Arabia, having spent 10 months at Al Shabab, while he also previously managed Al Ahli in 2013.
The 58-year-old is available following a brief spell at Forest, where he lasted just 20 games and was replaced by ex-Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner this summer.
Whoever does take the job will have big shoes to fill, with Jaissle having won 92 of his 138 games in charge and won back-to-back Asian Champions League titles.
Netherlands interest
Slot emerged as the main contender to replace Koeman after the World Cup. However, talks with the KNVB have stalled over the terms with Slot reportedly keen to only sign a deal until the end of the 2028 Euros, rather than until 2030.
If he does take the Netherlands job, then Slot would be following in the footsteps of his predecessor at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, who has taken the Germany role. Like the Netherlands, Germany changed head coach following a disappointing campaign at the World Cup.
Slot has been succeeded by Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, with the Spaniard having stepped up after three impressive campaigns at Bournemouth.
