Al Khaleej appoint Gomes as new boss

Roshn Saudi League side Al Khaleej have announced the appointment of Jose Gomes as their new manager ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Gomes, 55, has signed a two-year deal with the Saihat-based club, replacing Gustavo Poyet whose short-term contract with the club ended by the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Al Khaleej finished the season in 12^th place but saw their coach Giorgios Donis depart in April to take over the Saudi national team job ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. In seven matches played under Poyet, they won two and lost five, prompting them to decide against extending the Uruguayan’s deal.

Meanwhile, Gomes had ended the 2025-26 campaign in 11^th place with Al Fateh, having joined them midway through the previous season with the side from Al Ahsa sitting bottom of the table, going on to lift them from the threat of relegation into a tenth-place finish with a memorable run of eight wins in their last 12 matches.

The Portuguese tactician is a veteran of the RSL, having first arrived in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2014 as Al Taawoun manager, and going on to enjoy spells at Al Ahli and Al Fateh as well as two more stints with Al Taawoun over the next 12 years. He led Al Ahli to the 2016 Saudi Super Cup title.

Gomes’ record of 162 RSL games managed places his fourth in the competition’s all-time managers’ list, with a record of 56 wins, 44 draws and 62 defeats.