Brendan Rodgers has embarked on a high-stakes mission in the Middle East, officially confirmed as the new head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah. The former Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester City manager faces a clear and ambitious directive: to break the established hierarchy and transform the so-called 'Big Four' of Saudi football into a 'Big Five'.
The Scale of the Rodgers Project
Rodgers, 52, follows a well-trodden path from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia, joining alumni like Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler. However, his assignment carries greater weight. He takes charge of a club with immense financial power but without a top-flight championship to its name. Backed by the state-owned oil giant Aramco, one of the world's largest companies, Al-Qadsiah's ambition is limitless.
The club's intent was signalled last summer with the €65 million (£57.15m) signing of Italian striker Mateo Retegui. This financial muscle places the Khobar-based 'Eastern Knights' among the few clubs globally capable of competing with the Riyadh and Jeddah giants—Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli—who were taken over by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2023.
Immediate Pressure and Predecessor's Shadow
Rodgers inherits a squad sitting fifth in the table but already 10 points behind leaders Al-Nassr and eliminated from the King's Cup. Despite a solid defensive foundation built by signings like ex-Real Madrid defender Nacho and Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels, and attacking threat from Mexican Julián Quiñones (6 goals) and Retegui (5 goals), the title race is slipping away.
His appointment comes after the dismissal of Spanish manager Míchel, deemed not the man to deliver major trophies. The timing is curious, with the team not playing a league match since 21 November due to the FIFA Arab Cup. Rodgers has had little preparation time before the season resumes next week.
A Cautionary Tale from British Peers
The track record for prominent British managers in Saudi Arabia's new era is mixed, offering Rodgers potential lessons. Robbie Fowler was appointed by Al-Qadsiah in 2023 to secure promotion but was dismissed after just eight games without a defeat, a move that left the former Liverpool striker 'very, very disappointed'.
Steven Gerrard was fired in January from nearby Al-Ettifaq after 18 months, failing to translate significant investment into success, with the team languishing in the bottom half. Furthermore, Jordan Henderson's short and controversial stint highlighted the off-pitch scrutiny regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record, a scrutiny Rodgers may also face.
Beyond immediate results, Rodgers joins at a pivotal infrastructural moment. The club currently averages around 9,000 fans but is set to move into the state-of-the-art, 46,000-capacity Aramco Stadium upon its completion next year. The pieces—wealthy owners, finance, a developing squad, and a future world-class stadium—are being assembled. The board now believes they have the coach to complete the project and shatter the existing elite.
